Advancing social and economic development
Despite significant progress, investment in evidence-based reproductive, maternal, newborn and children’s health interventions has remained largely insufficient. This Lancet article estimates the costs and benefits of investing in women’s and children’s health in 74 countries which account for 95% of maternal and child deaths.The researchers assessed the costs of six investment packages for maternal and newborn health, child health, immunisation, family planning, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, which related to a total of 50 interventions.They used simulation modelling to assess the health, social and economic benefits of these investments. Costs and benefits were estimated for three scenarios - low, medium, and high coverage.Key facts and figuresThis paper demonstrates that:· Investing an extra US$5 per person per year in these 74 countries would yield high rates of return by 2035.· These additional investments would significantly reduce mortality and morbidity.· In the high coverage scenario, the deaths of 147 million children and 5 million pregnant women as well as 32 million stillbirths, would be averted by 2035.· The majority of deaths averted would be in the highest-burden regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.· Expanding access to contraception is highly cost-effective. In the high coverage scenario, it would account for half of the deaths averted at a small cost.· Increasing investment for wider coverage of RMNCH interventions would also bring about significant social and economic benefits, including greater gross domestic product through improved productivity as well as the empowerment of women and girls.· Strengthening the broader health system in parallel to expanding coverage of key interventions is paramount.· The high coverage scenario would require an additional 675,000 nurses, doctors, and midwives, as well as 544,000 community health workers by 2035.This paper concludes that accelerated investments are needed to bring about health, social and economic benefits to women and children across the world.To read this article, click here. Free subscription required.
