Immediate skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their mothers offers a better start in life, improving a number of key health metrics, according to a newly-updated Cochrane review.

The fifth edition of the book Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Concepts, Applications, and statistics has been released by the authors in collaboration with Cochrane Iran, and with the endorsement of the Iranian Epidemiological Association (IrEA). This extensively revised and updated edition reaffirms the book’s position as an authoritative educational resource in the field. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Health as a reference textbook for PhD programs in Epidemiology, the book is now available to the academic community and health research professionals.

For over 30 years, the Cochrane Collaboration has set the standard for systematic reviews in health research. Our reviews have saved and improved countless lives across the world, providing trustworthy evidence to inform health decisions at all levels, from international policymakers to individual patients. We now want to take evidence synthesis to the next level, creating a more dynamic, open and equitable system so that decision-makers always have the latest evidence at their fingertips.

A new Cochrane review demonstrates that vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are both safe and effective in protecting vulnerable groups that are most at risk of serious illness, including older adults and infants.

A new tool to identify problematic trials is now available, enabling researchers to check whether studies are trustworthy before including them in systematic reviews.

Cochrane is excited to announce the The People’s Review, a project designed to empower individuals worldwide to take part in a systematic review. The People’s Review invites the public to learn about systematic reviews by directly participating in the process.

the online journal of “Factname salamat” in collaboration with Cochrane Iran, held the first virtual workshop titled “Rumors and Infodemics: How can we respond to people’s questions?” in April 2025. In this session, experts emphasized the necessity of evidence-based decision-making in the health and underscored the importance of scientifically addressing information published in the virtual environment.

A newly-published Cochrane review reveals significant gaps in the clinical rating scales used to assess pain in newborn babies, highlighting the urgent need for improved tools and global collaboration.

Cochrane will no longer use the term ‘consumer’ to represent patients and the public, which we previously defined as ‘healthcare consumers’. We have adopted the term ‘patient and public involvement’ to describe research being carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public, rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them.

Monday 7 April marks World Health Day, a day organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to highlight a particular global health issue. This year, it aims to kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health.