Best Investment for a Healthier World

How Frontline Health Workers Are Saving the Lives of Women and Children

Frontline Health Workers Coalition members AMREF, IntraHealth International, and Save the Children participated in an event hosted by corporate partner Johnson & Johnson that featured creative approaches to increasing access to frontline health workers as a cost-effective and sustainable solution to global health challenges. Innovative Solutions on the Frontline: How Healthcare Workers Are Saving the Lives of Women and Children took place in New York on September 24. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Freedom from Hunger, mothers2mothers, and Pro Mujer also participated in the event. The panel featured a variety of novel approaches to expanding access to frontline health workers:

  • Marilyn DeLuca provided a global perspective on strategies for addressing the health workforce crisis.
  • Michael Bzdak talked about how Johnson & Johnson is partnering with nongovernmental organizations to expand access to trained health care providers.
  • Lisa Meadowcroft (AMREF) and Robin Smalley (mothers2mothers) showed how access to trained midwives can be increased.
  • Gabriela Salvador (Pro Mujer) and Steve Hollingworth (Freedom from Hunger) described programs that are integrating microfinance with health care as a way to provide the increased income that improves access to health.
  • Jonathan Klein (American Academy of Pediatrics) explained a program that is preventing asphyxiation among newborns.
  • Mary Beth Powers shared the launch of The REAL Awards, which are honoring unsung health workers.

Maurice Middleberg of IntraHealth served as moderator of the panel. "It was exciting to hear so many productive responses to the health workforce shortage", said Middleberg. "Countries that are combining, expanding, and adapting a variety of approaches are making real progress." As part of this event, the Huffington Post's Global Motherhood page hosted a thematic week about the need for frontline health workers. Selected posts include: