The conditions in which women and children are born, grow up, live and work have a major impact on their health. Efforts to improve health must be closely linked to those intended to tackle poverty and malnutrition, improve access to education, ensure gender equity and empowerment, tackle major diseases, and improve access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and a clean, safe environment. Integrating the care of women and children with other services is an efficient and cost-effective route to success. For example, investing in family planning in addition to maternal and newborn services can save US$ billion while achieving.
