
Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures: Youth-led Momentum for Maternal and Newborn Health in Bihar
Maternal and newborn health in Bihar is a critical area of concern that directly influences the future of the state’s human development. While notable progress has been made over recent years—with improvements in institutional deliveries, antenatal care coverage, and a marginal decline in infant mortality—deep-rooted challenges remain. Early marriage continues to be a widespread issue, with over 40 percent of women aged 20–24 married before the legal age of 18 (*Source: National Family Health Survey- 2019-21). This often leads to early pregnancies, increasing the risks of maternal complications, premature birth and low birth weight. The prevalence of anemia among women has worsened, according to the same data, now affecting over 63 percent of women of reproductive age which too








