An innovative surveillance system that has contributed to a significant decline in maternal mortality in China has been awarded the 2025 APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize, spotlighting the power of data to shape inclusive, evidence-based health policy across the region.
Developed by Professor Jun Zhu of the National Maternal and Child Health Surveillance Office, National Health Commission of China, the project integrates population- and hospital-based data to guide domestic maternal health policy. The system covers more than 140 million people and has informed major public health strategies, contributing to a drop in China's maternal mortality rate from 31.9 to 15.1 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2009 and 2023.
"This project exemplifies the power of evidence-based strategy in shaping policy that saves lives," said Professor Zhu. "It is my hope that this system can inspire similar approaches in other APEC economies."
The prize, presented annually by the APEC Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy, recognizes outstanding research that advances women's economic participation by improving health outcomes.
Dr Ramona Vijeyarasa of Australia was named a runner-up for her work on the unintended consequences of paternity quotas in paid parental leave policies. Her research highlights how well-intentioned measures can result in disproportionate disadvantages for women, advocating for more flexible, evidence-informed parental leave strategies.
Dr Meiping Aggie Sun and her team from China were also named runners-up for the research on the long-term impacts of early childhood health monitoring. Their study shows how integrating routine growth and development monitoring into health systems can support early interventions that yield lifelong benefits, particularly for girls.
"Supporting research that empowers women through health policy is critical to achieving APEC's broader economic goals," said Anita Peña Saavedra, Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy. "This year's prize recipients are tackling systemic issues with innovative, actionable insights."
The APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize is sponsored by Merck and supports APEC's ongoing efforts to promote inclusive growth through public-private partnerships.
"At Merck, we are proud to have supported the APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize for six consecutive years," said Boon Huey Ee, Vice President, Head of Global External Strategic Engagements and Partnership at Merck.
"This year's winning research demonstrates the critical role of health data in improving maternal outcomes and advancing economic participation for women," Boon added. "We remain deeply committed to supporting evidence-based innovations that drive equity and empower women across the region."
The Healthy Women, Healthy Economies initiative is grounded in the APEC HWHE Policy Toolkit, which highlights five areas for action: workplace health and safety; health awareness and access; sexual and reproductive health; gender-based violence; and work-life balance. The initiative supports policymakers, industry and civil society to advance women's health as a foundation for broader economic empowerment.
