More than 2.5 million babies died from preventable causes in 2017

Nearly 30 million babies each year are born too small, born too early, or become sick enough to need specialized care — and many of them aren't getting the care they need, according to a new report produced by UNICEF, the WHO, and other groups across the globe. More than 2.5 million babies died last year from preventable causes, the report found. Some of those deaths were due to low-quality care, and others were due to no care at all.

And while neonatal mortality rates vary wildly between countries, almost all neonatal deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Most of the countries with the worst neonatal mortality rates have experienced a recent humanitarian crisis, like a war or natural disaster. The report's authors lay out a handful of recommendations — starting with investing more resources in the issue.