Integrated health reporting within the UN architecture: learning from maternal, newborn and child health

Despite a proliferation of the United Nations General Assembly high-level meetings on a range of health issues and developmental challenges, global funding continues to flow disproportionately to HIV and maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH). Using the experience of MNCH, this short article argues that successful human rights framing and the development of robust and regular reporting mechanisms in the international development architecture has contributed to these areas receiving attention. Taking non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as an example of a relatively neglected health area, we propose mechanisms that would improve integrated reporting of health issues in a way that aligns with the move toward cross-cutting themes and matching political and financial commitments with impact. As new frameworks are being developed to support multi-agency approaches to achieving SDG 3—including reporting and accountability—there are opportunities to ensure MNCH and NCDs jointly seek data collection measures that can support specific targets and indicators that link NCDs with early childhood development.