Spotlight on Antenatal Corticosteroids for Preterm Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Studies have found that the antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) injection for women at risk of preterm delivery is the most effective intervention to reduce the risk of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) for preterm babies.

Spotlight on Chlorhexidine for Umbilical Cord Care

Chlorhexidine is a low-cost antiseptic effective against major agents of neonatal infection. However, it remains underutilized, and as such, has been identified by the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women’s and Children’s Health as one of 13 commodities that if more widely accessed and properly used, could save the lives of more than six million women and children worldwide.

Spotlight on the Emergency Contraceptive Pill

This fact sheet is part of a series on Demand Generation for 13 Life-Saving Commodities: A Synthesis of the Evidence. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) offers women a last chance at preventing an unplanned pregnancy after sexual assault, contraceptive failure or other instances of unprotected intercourse. However, ECPs remain an underutilized commodity in family planning.

Spotlight on Magnesium Sulfate for Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia

The second leading cause of maternal death worldwide is pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E). It’s most often detected through the elevation of blood pressure during pregnancy, which can lead to seizures, kidney and liver damage, and death, if untreated. The risk that a woman in a developing country will die of PE/E is approximately 300 times higher than that for a woman in a developed country. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is the most effective medication for the prevention and treatment of PE/E, yet remains underutilized.

Spotlight on Injectable Antibiotics for Neonatal Sepsis

This fact sheet is part of a series on Demand Generation for 13 Life-Saving Commodities: A Synthesis of the Evidence. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists four injectable antibiotics for the treatment of neonatal sepsis on the Essential medicines list for children.

Spotlight on Oxytocin and Misoprostol for Postpartum Hemorrhage

This fact sheet is part of a series on Demand Generation for 13 Life-Saving Commodities: A Synthesis of the Evidence. Oxytocin and misoprostol remain underutilized in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and as such, have been identified by the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women’s and Children’s Health as two of 13 life-saving commodities.

Spotlight on ORS/Zinc and Amoxicillin for Diarrhea and Pneumonia

This fact sheet is part of a series on Demand Generation for 13 Life-Saving Commodities: A Synthesis of the Evidence. World Health Organization recommended treatments for diarrhea and pneumonia—Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), zinc and amoxicillin— are highly effective and affordable. However, they remain underutilized.

Spotlight on Contraceptive Implants

This fact sheet is part of a series on Demand Generation for 13 Life-Saving Commodities: A Synthesis of the Evidence. Contraceptive implants are safe, highly effective and long-acting progestin-only contraceptives that require little attention after insertion and prevent pregnancy for an extended period.

Spotlight on Neonatal Resuscitation for Birth Asphyxia

This fact sheet is part of a series on Demand Generation for 13 Life-Saving Commodities: A Synthesis of the Evidence. Basic resuscitation equipment is not available in many low-resource settings, and was therefore identified by the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women’s and Children’s Health as one of 13 commodities that if more widely accessed and properly used, could save the lives of more than six million women and children worldwide.

Spotlight on the Female Condom

This fact sheet is part of a series on Demand Generation for 13 Life-Saving Commodities: A Synthesis of the Evidence. The female condom (FC) is the only women-initiated, dual-protection commodity that protects women from both STIs—including HIV—and unintended pregnancy. However, the FC remains an underutilized commodity in family planning and HIV prevention.