The data shows that while the global percentage of neonatal deaths (0-28 days) has steadily decreased across most WHO regions since 2000, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean are experiencing an increasing share of the burden. Regions like Europe, South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific have seen significant reductions, yet Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean regions now account for a growing proportion of neonatal deaths. This trend suggests that despite global progress, disparities in neonatal mortality are widening, with certain regions facing greater challenges in improving newborn survival.

A major challenge in developing countries is the lack of sufficient health outcome data, which makes it difficult to implement effective health interventions. One way to address this is by using data from developed countries as a proxy, analyzing successful health strategies and outcomes. This can offer valuable insights into what may work in low-resource settings. However, it’s crucial to adapt these strategies to the unique social, economic, and healthcare conditions of each developing country, ensuring that interventions are contextually appropriate and capable of addressing local health needs.

This analysis evaluates country-level progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. It highlights which countries are currently meeting the goal, and tracks changes in MMR between 2018 and 2023. The dashboard integrates spending data to explore the relationship between investment levels and outcomes, helping identify where funding is yielding results and where strategic shifts may be needed.

The first month of life is the most vulnerable period for a child's survival, with 2.3 million newborns dying in 2022. While neonatal deaths have decreased by 44% since 2000, almost half of all deaths in children under five occurred during the first 28 days of life. This highlights the need for improved newborn care during this critical time. According to WHO, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 57% of under-five deaths in 2022, despite representing only 30% of global births, with the highest neonatal mortality rate at 27 per 1,000 live births. Better care at birth and after can significantly reduce these deaths.