We are proud to announce a new partnership with the Government of Canada, World Vision, Plan International Canada and Save the Children in creating Born On Time, a new initiative whose goal is to ensure every birth is full term, and every child has an opportunity for a healthy start in life.
Over the last two decades, rates of child mortality have been slashed in half, yet preterm birth remains the leading cause of death for children under the age of five.
Through Born on Time, we are building upon our strong legacy to improve newborn survival. Led by Worldwide Corporate Contributions, the global philanthropic arm of Johnson & Johnson, we have committed CAD$10 million over five years and will be contributing our expertise to help inspire global action and drive effective solutions to prevent preterm birth. Born on Time is actively supported by Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in Canada.
Working closely with local stakeholders, the partners will address contributing risk factors to preterm birth: Lifestyle, Infection, Nutrition and Contraception (LINC). To tackle the missing “LINC” in newborn health, the five-year initiative will begin implementation in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Mali, where the burden of newborn death is high and governments have committed to improving survival rates.
Born on Time is one of two global public health initiatives that Johnson & Johnson will launch in partnership with the government of Canada this year. We are also collaborating with the Government of Canada and Micronutrient Initiative, a global organization providing vitamins and minerals to vulnerable women and children, to improve the health of children in Bangladesh through integrated approaches to the prevention and control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (intestinal worms). This exciting partnership will utilize an innovative blended finance model that represents a new financing mechanism for maternal, newborn and child health programs.
Both initiatives reflect Johnson & Johnson’s commitment to improving global public health. At Johnson & Johnson, we envision a world in which women, children and families are empowered to live healthy, productive lives and create healthier futures.
Join us to raise the visibility of preterm birth and newborn survival, follow @JNJGlobalhealth, #bornontime on Twitter