Global Action Agenda

Preterm birth and stillbirth are complex local and global health problems that require an interdisciplinary research approach and an international commitment. In May 2009, key stakeholders collaborated to make recommendations for a Global Action Agenda (GAA) at the International Conference on Prematurity and Stillbirth. The primary goal of the GAA is to find creative solutions to promote initiatives that will improve maternal, fetal, newborn and child health.

GAPPS co-convened this four-day conference with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, March of Dimes, PATH, Save the Children, UNICEF and the World Health Organization. Participants included about 200 leading international researchers, policymakers, health care practitioners and philanthropists. A near-final draft of this report was sent three weeks in advance to help cochairs and participants prepare for workgroup discussions.

Global Experts Created a Swift Plan to Improve Fetal and Newborn Health

Twelve thematic workgroups, composed of interdisciplinary experts, made recommendations on short-, intermediate, and long-term milestones, and success metrics. Recommendations in the GAA corresponded with the following themes: (1) advance discovery of the global magnitude, understanding, causes and innovative methods or technologies to prevent preterm birth and stillbirth; (2) promote development and delivery of cost-effective interventions; (3) improve advocacy efforts to increase awareness that these are leading contributors to the global health burden; (4) increase resources for research and implementation; and (5) consider ethical and social justice implications throughout all efforts.

The conference also provided an opportunity to collaborate on preliminary work to achieve a number of short-term milestones. Post-conference collaboration efforts have continued by participants to complete short-term objectives presented in the GAA.

Click on Article 7 to view the full Global Action Agenda.