Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person. They are of long duration and generally slow progression. The four main types of noncommunicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.

A newborn infant, or neonate, is a child under 28 days of age. During these first 28 days of life, the child is at the highest risk of dying. Approximately 75% of all newborn deaths occur during the first week of life, and up to 45% occur within the first 24 hours.

In the African Region, 1.12 million newborn deaths occur annually. The main causes include prematurity and low-birth-weight, infections, lack of oxygen at birth, and birth trauma. These causes account for nearly 80% of the deaths in this age group.