Countdown to 2015

Countdown to 2015 for Maternal, Newborn and Child Survival (Countdown) was a global movement to track, stimulate and support country progress toward MDGs 4 and 5. Countdown tracked national-level coverage of a core set of evidence-based interventions proven to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality since 2005, as well as equity in coverage and selected determinants of coverage change. The successes of Countdown to 2015 continue under the new Countdown to 2030 initiative. 

The analytical work of Countdown was carried out by Working Groups. The Coverage Technical Working Group was co-chaired by the Data and Analytics Division of UNICEF-New York and the Institute for International Programs at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The successes of Countdown to 2015 continue under the new Countdown to 2030 initiative. 

SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF COVERAGE DATA

The Working Group supported focused analyses of data on intervention coverage, giving priority to research questions related to program implementation. The analysis projects included:

• Understanding the patterns of antenatal care: determinants of utilization and equity in access. G Raad, J DeJong
• Fluid curtailment during childhood diarrhea: A Countdown analysis. J Perin, L Carvajal-Velez, E Carter, J Bryce. H Newby.
• Harmful practices in the management of childhood diarrhea episodes: A systematic review. E Carter, J Perin, J Bryce, H Newby.

SUPPORT TO IN-DEPTH COUNTRY CASE STUDIES

The Coverage TWG also contributed to the conduct of case studies designed to increase understanding of country progress in reducing maternal and child mortality and undernutrition. 

FUNDING

This work was funded through a Sub-grant from the U.S. Fund for UNICEF under their Countdown to 2015 for Maternal, Newborn and Child Survival Grant (#OPP1058954) from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.