Observed Sept. 17, World Patient Safety Day 2025 is dedicated to ensuring safe care for every newborn and child — from the very beginning through age 9. This year’s theme, Patient Safety from the Start, emphasizes the urgent need to prevent harm early and consistently to protect children’s health and well-being throughout the life course.

Children rely on parents, caregivers and health professionals to make safe decisions on their behalf. But socioeconomic barriers, diagnostic errors and systems that aren’t tailored to children’s needs can increase the risk of harm. A single safety incident isn’t just a moment of danger — it can have lasting effects on a child’s development, health and future.

From diagnostic accuracy in newborn care to family engagement in pediatric treatment plans, safer care for children requires coordinated efforts across health systems, families and communities. This World Patient Safety Day, the World Health Organization calls on parents, caregivers, clinicians, educators and communities to unite in building a safer, healthier future for every child.

Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality expert Albert Wu, M.D., M.P.H., together with Johns Hopkins Children’s Center pediatric safety and quality experts Laura Sigman, M.D., J.D. and Julia Kim, M.D., M.P.H., are available for interviews on this year’s theme. They can speak to topics such as:

• The role of family engagement in improving safety for young patients
• Reducing preventable harm in neonatal and pediatric care
• Diagnostic challenges unique to young patients — and how to overcome them
• Creating safer systems for children in hospitals and clinical settings