Message from Dr. Craig Rubens

Our mission is to lead a collaborative, global effort to increase awareness and accelerate innovative research and interventions that will improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes.

Together, we are achieving tremendous progress toward the Global Action Agenda (GAA) on Preterm Birth & Stillbirth, which was created at our international conference a year ago. This event accelerated momentum among researchers, advocates, governments, and healthcare practitioners around the world. Our global report and other recent publications are also increasing visibility for these crises with policymakers and funders.

Now that we have completed the Global Report, we are focusing on closing the knowledge and solutions gaps. We are improving research infrastructure in high-burden countries, and exploring opportunities for biobanking in these areas.

Visibility is growing for both prematurity and stillbirth on the global maternal, newborn and child health agenda. Countdown to 2015 now includes preterm birth and stillbirth rates among its priority indicators. The recent Women Deliver conference also featured a panel session on these two issues. Preterm birth and stillbirth are also discussed in a recent report published by the Kaiser Family Foundation, “The U.S. Government’s Efforts to Address Global Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health: The Global Health Initiative and Beyond.” See more stakeholder accomplishments.

Our Alliance

Our integrated, systems-based approach to prematurity and stillbirths brings together an unprecedented team of experts from around the world. GAPPS is composed of epidemiologists, pediatricians, researchers, and others who share a personal commitment to saving maternal and newborn lives. Our alliance includes international stakeholders in maternal, newborn and child health:

• Researchers
• Advocates
• Healthcare practitioners
• United Nations and government agencies
• Nonprofits
• Philanthropists
• Families
• Policymakers
• Businesses

You are invited to join our Alliance.

Our Focus

The following key initiatives emerged from the Global Action Agenda on Preterm Birth and Stillbirth:

• Understand the magnitude and impact of preterm birth and stillbirth
• Build research capacity in low- and middle-income countries
• Catalyze diagnostic, treatment and prevention innovations through discovery science
• Develop and deliver cost-effective interventions
• Increase visibility and awareness of preterm birth and stillbirth
• Unlock the resources necessary to reduce preterm birth and stillbirth

Learn more about what we do.

Read our Strategic Plan.