During her pregnancy, every expectant mother has bright hopes for the new life she carries. She may have concerns about her ability to care for a newborn. But depending on where she in the world she lives, her fear may be much deeper and more fundamental: "Will my baby survive childbirth?" Or, "Will I?"

We cannot leave girls out of the equation. Why? Because adolescent girls are uniquely disadvantaged, yet they have the most potential to make the greatest change.

Although small, new innovative water and sanitation projects are inspiring. In the face of adversity, communities are showing that a little creativity and the determined will to work hard to control their own destiny.

In September 2000, world leaders unanimously adopted the Millennium Development Goals, but standing against the achievements of the last 12 years is a sobering finding: no fragile or conflict-affected low-income country has achieved a single MDG.

Without scaled-up financing, more targeted programming and expanded political will, the beginning of the end of AIDS will remain a distant ambition. But with concerted action, the world can chart a course towards ending this pandemic.

In today's world, bad news about poverty, disease and disaster abounds. Good News -- For a Change highlights major strides in the fight against global poverty that are making a real difference in people's lives.

Some people ask why we should spend hundreds of millions of dollars to finish the job on polio when there are so many other health priorities. The risk of rebound is one compelling reason. Yet there is another as well. The polio eradication campaign is improving public health more generally.

Today is the first-ever International Day of the Girl. This is a day to celebrate the fact that it is girls who will change the world; that the empowerment of girls holds the key to development and security for families, communities and societies worldwide.

Our guarantee on International Day of The Girl Child is that we will do everything, everywhere to ensure that the millions of girls who have not gone to school today will get their chance of an education and have their basic human rights respected.

In a small, workshop off the main road leading to Masaya, Nicaragua, Francis Cano Gutierrez sits behind a bench and every few seconds, she kicks the flywheel with her bare feet to keep the clay spinning as she shapes it with her hands. It's hard not to break a sweat; it's August and the heat and humidity are in the 90s.

If we want to achieve the goals in front of us to make sure everyone can enjoy this luxury, we can't think that what works here is the solution that can be applied everywhere and instead of just leapfrogging, we're going to need to look before we leap.

Among the resolutions the WHA will consider is one supporting the Global Vaccine Action Plan, a road map to ensure that by the end of this decade, every child, everywhere enjoys the full benefits of immunization.

Have you ever thought about giving another mom a shot at letting her baby reach their milestones? The cost of a co-pay at the doctor's office could be matched by you to help the globe reach this important milestone.