Like many public health problems, neonatal mortality is the most obvious consequence of other underlying causes, many of them structural, that reflect poverty and inequity in society. To a greater or lesser degree, the countries of the region have been adopting a series of health sector interventions aimed at improving the health of newborns and reducing neonatal mortality. For example: wider health coverage, skilled care in childbirth, breast feeding, and vaccination, among others.

During the last decade, newborn health has become increasingly relevant on the public health agenda. This, added to the growing evidence around the implications of early conditions throughout the life course and the availability of specific interventions aimed at reducing the main causes of death in newborns and promoting adequate care, support the need for special attention on the newborn and the perinatal periods.

There are still important challenges to address in the neonatal period, but most importantly:

• Preventable neonatal mortality
• Health conditions that affect individuals throughout their life course and social capital
• Inequalities