Community-based newborn care: are we there yet?

This article discusses efforts to reduce the incidence of child mortality by two-thirds by 2015 under the auspices of the United Nations Millennium Project. The significance of improved maternal health care and obstetrics in achieving this goal is noted. The promising results presented by a study, published elsewhere in this issue, of the efficacy of community-based newborn care programs in rural India are noted. The administrative limitations of overstretched and undercompensated community health care workers in developing countries is noted. Challenges faced by people interested in adapting this process for application in urban areas and in Africa are noted.