Devex: The missing LINC in the newborn survival agenda: Prevention
Leith Greenslade, vice chair at the MDG Health Alliance

“…[The Public Private Partnership to Prevent Preterm Birth] aims to demonstrate that preterm birth rates can be significantly reduced by addressing four ‘LINC’ risk factors — lifestyle, infection, nutrition, and contraception among populations of women where preterm birth rates and deaths are extremely high. … The recent progress in newborn survival is undeniable. … But we have a long way to go to build wide recognition that reducing the burden of preterm deaths to the levels required for [reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] requires prevention, not just treatment. … Ultimately this message needs to be heard by the donor governments, country governments, and foundations whose funding influences others. We need their commitment to experiment with ways to drive down preterm birth rates…” (11/17).

Huffington Post: No Life Too Small: World Prematurity Day 2015
Ariel Pablos-Mendez, assistant administrator for global health and child and maternal survival coordinator at USAID

“…If we are to achieve the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the global community in September and end preventable child and maternal mortality within a generation, now is the time to act. … Worldwide, momentum is building to dramatically reduce newborn deaths, as catalyzed by the Born Too Soon and the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirths (GAPPS) reports and the Every Newborn Action Plan. These and other initiatives … are aligning efforts to save lives across the globe using evidence-driven strategies and proven interventions. … We have the experience and the expertise; we have the tools and the technology. Now, it is time for us to align our actions and global efforts — and in doing so, demonstrate our conviction that every newborn is worth saving, no matter when, where, or how they are born” (11/16).