Why invest in the Maternal and Newborn Health Fund? Ending preventable maternal deaths by 2030 requires US$116 billion, yet only $12 billion is projected — leaving a $104 billion shortfall that endangers millions of lives. While 61 per cent of countries for which we have data have costed maternal and newborn health plans, only 12 per cent of these plans are fully funded. Investing in maternal and newborn health is not only a moral imperative but also an economic opportunity—every US$1 invested yields over US$8 in returns through improved productivity and reduced healthcare costs.