World Prematurity Day, observed on November 17, is a day to raise awareness of the challenges and burden of preterm birth globally. Preterm birth is a leading cause of death in the newborn period. Moreover, for preterm babies who survive, there may be physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities that create significant burdens for the child, for families, and for health systems. Improving health outcomes for the smallest and most fragile among us is a goal that unites people throughout the world, regardless of geographical, political, or societal borders.

The China Medical Board (CMB) is pleased to announce the launch of the CMB Global Health Leadership Development Program, a new capacity-building program that will train young Chinese health professionals in global health research and practice. The program aims to bring together a network of outstanding low- and middle-income country (LMIC) training sites across different regions that have the infrastructure, leadership, and mentoring experience to provide high-quality global health training to the CMB fellows. Program operating institutions at the Yale School of Medicine and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) – two world-leading institutions in the field of global health – will administer the program for the first term.

Our dynamic Equity Initiative Fellows are campaigning for health equity on many fronts: addressing the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities, rebalancing the healthcare workforce to improve access to care, using film and the performing arts to raise social awareness, and so much more. The stories in our April 2021 newsletter will give you a better understanding of the ways in which they are translating the principles of health equity into meaningful action. Click here to read.