Global Maternal Deaths Decrease Significantly, Study Reveals

The number of maternal deaths worldwide has seen a significant decline, dropping to approximately 260,000 in 2023, a remarkable decrease of 41 percent since the year 2000. This reduction is attributed to improvements in maternity care and increased access to contraceptive methods, according to a comprehensive global analysis conducted by researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) and various leading academic institutions.

Key Findings on Maternal Mortality Reduction

Maternal mortality refers to pregnancy-related deaths occurring during pregnancy, childbirth, or within six weeks postpartum. The leading causes of these deaths include postpartum haemorrhage, complications from high blood pressure, sepsis, blood vessel blockages, complications from abortion, and obstructed labour. The new study highlights that the global maternal death rate has decreased from 443,000 in 2000 to 260,000 in 2023.

The researchers analyzed data from 195 countries and territories to understand the factors contributing to this decline. Their findings indicate that improvements in maternity care account for 61.2 percent of the reduction. These improvements include childbirth attended by skilled health professionals and better postpartum support. Additionally, 38.8 percent of the decline can be attributed to fertility reduction measures, such as increased contraceptive use and safer access to abortion services.

According to the study published in The Lancet Global Health journal, the use of contraceptives alone averted an estimated 77,400 maternal deaths in 2023, representing about one in four of the averted deaths that year. The researchers emphasized the critical role of contraception in enhancing women’s health outcomes and its impact on family planning, which helps avoid complications and reduces the incidence of unsafe abortions.

Importance of Contraceptive Access and Maternity Care

“Access to contraception and quality maternity care are not just health interventions; they are fundamental to saving lives and advancing gender equality,” stated Pascale Allotey, a director at the WHO focused on sexual and reproductive health. Allotey underscored the necessity of integrating family planning services into maternity care to ensure that every woman has the means to plan her family effectively.

Despite these encouraging findings, the researchers expressed concerns about potential setbacks in maternal health. They highlighted that recent efforts to restrict abortion access and cuts to global health funding, particularly the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), could jeopardize progress in reducing pregnancy-related deaths.

Allotey urged for improved integration of family planning programs within maternity care frameworks. “We must ensure that every woman, everywhere, has the means to plan her family and access the care she needs for preventing unintended pregnancy and for a safe pregnancy and childbirth,” she stated.

The study’s findings serve as a reminder of the critical intersection between reproductive health services and maternal care, reinforcing the need for global efforts to maintain and enhance access to these essential health services.