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Ian Askew, Director, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction<\/strong><\/p>\n Finding ways to connect with each\u00a0other\u00a0has felt more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic, as public health measures ask us to maintain physical distance where possible.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Our work at HRP over the last few months has shown, despite the challenges,\u00a0just how much collaboration,\u00a0creativity,\u00a0research\u00a0and meaningful\u00a0connection\u00a0our\u00a0community\u00a0is capable of. We are so proud to\u00a0continue A good place to start\u00a0this month\u2019s newsletter\u00a0is with\u00a0the 25th\u00a0anniversary of the\u00a0Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.\u00a0HRP\u00a0is\u00a0working with WHO<\/a>\u00a0and a wide range of partners to\u00a0celebrate\u00a0progress made on this\u00a0ambitious framework for realizing No matter where you live, there are unique health needs which digital technologies can help to meet.\u00a0The Digital implementation investment guide: integrating digital interventions into health systems<\/a>, (also known as the DIIG),\u00a0launched early in Digital technologies have of course played a bigger role in many of our lives over the last few months, but this was\u00a0already the case for many adolescents and young people,\u00a0who are accessing the internet at earlier stages of life.\u00a0 The fundamental importance of quality of care for every pregnant woman and newborn is another message repeated and received loud and clear across HRP\u2019s work. This month,\u00a0the WHO ACTION-I trial resolved an ongoing controversy about the efficacy Such data can and must inform our global approach to improving maternal and newborn health. For premature babies, the ACTION trial shows that\u00a0pregnancy dating and quality care,\u00a0combined with the steroids,\u00a0are key to survival. Similarly,\u00a0data from\u00a0the recent\u00a0 Understanding\u00a0more about the specific impact of COVID-19 on\u00a0pregnant women and their babies\u00a0is an ongoing priority at HRP.\u00a0We are\u00a0helping to lead a \u2018living systematic review\u2019 into clinical manifestations, risk factors, and maternal and perinatal outcomes\u00a0of COVID-19\u00a0in pregnancy.\u00a0 As we move forward in one area, it is equally important not to slip back in others.\u00a0COVID-19\u00a0clearly\u00a0threatens recent gains in women\u2019s\u00a0and adolescent\u2019s\u00a0health, rights\u00a0and gender equality.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n HRP is\u00a0now\u00a0collaborating with several partners to\u00a0prevent unsafe abortion<\/a> With all this in mind, the\u00a0final word\u00a0this month\u00a0belongs\u00a0to\u00a0Rea, a 17-year old advocate from Kosovo\u00a0who took part in the\u00a0virtual\u202fintergenerational dialogue\u00a0WHO and HRP co-organized\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0International Day of The Girl.\u00a0Organised\u00a0around the 2020 theme of\u00a0\u201cMy voice, our equal future,\u201d the event was a striking call to recognize girls\u2019 inheritance of the still-unfinished Beijing Agenda, their expertise on the challenges they face especially for their sexual and reproductive health and rights, and their limitless capacity as change-makers.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n our work\u00a0with you\u00a0on such\u00a0a\u00a0broad\u00a0range of sexual and reproductive health and rights issues\u00a0\u2013\u00a0across disciplines, platforms\u00a0and generations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n the human rights of all women and girls.\u00a0We are also\u00a0committed to\u00a0highlighting challenges,\u00a0gaps, and concrete actions\u00a0needed\u00a0to advance health\u00a0equity\u00a0and gender\u00a0equality:\u00a0now,\u00a0and in a post-COVID-19
\n world.\u00a0Please do spend some time\u00a0reading\u00a0\u201cWomen\u2019s Health and Gender Inequalities,\u201d a\u00a0special series of papers<\/a>\u00a0commissioned by The\u00a0British Medical Journal\u00a0(BMJ)\u00a0with support from\u00a0HRP, WHO and\u00a0the
\n UNU-IIGH.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n October,\u00a0is\u00a0a landmark publication from WHO,\u00a0HRP\u00a0and many other partners. It supports\u00a0step-by-step planning, costing and implementing\u00a0of\u00a0digital health investments.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Youth-centred\u00a0digital health interventions<\/a>
\n ,\u00a0another\u00a0WHO, HRP and partner-led\u00a0digital health\u00a0publication\u00a0launched\u00a0last month, has\u00a0a very clear message\u00a0for all of us:\u00a0when\u00a0designing\u00a0effective digital health solutions for young people, young
\n people should\u00a0be\u00a0making\u00a0decisions at every stage\u00a0of the design process.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n of antenatal steroids for improving preterm newborn survival in low-income countries, showing a significant impact:\u00a0for every 25 pregnant women treated with dexamethasone,\u00a0
\n one premature baby\u2019s life was saved<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Global Maternal Sepsis Study (GLOSS)<\/a>
\n \u00a0–\u00a0which showed that\u00a0infection has a much larger impact on global maternal mortality and morbidity than previously thought\u00a0–\u00a0is an\u00a0opportunity\u00a0to\u00a0mobilize, improve evidence-based practice, and save lives.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n New findings were recently published<\/a>, and this\u00a0global\u00a0research\u00a0will continue to collect and synthesize data, as more is learned.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n \u00a0and support women\u2019s and girls\u2019 health, well-being and rights in the context of\u00a0the current pandemic\u00a0We\u00a0recently\u00a0launched\u00a0the updated\u00a0
\n Companion of choice during\u00a0labour\u00a0and childbirth for improved quality of care<\/a>
\n \u00a0alongside the\u00a0WHO Clinical management of COVID-19: interim guidance<\/a>
\n ,\u00a0emphasizing\u00a0that the pandemic is no exception to every woman\u2019s right to\u00a0high-quality, respectful maternity care\u00a0\u2013 including\u00a0labour\u00a0companionship.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n