Reducing maternal mortality in the Americas by 2030

What is it about?

Despite major steps taken to reduce maternal deaths, it is still a major threat to the health, welfare, and life of many women worldwide. Reducing maternal deaths by 2030 is a key developmental target at both the global and regional scales in the Americas as such. To guide the efforts needed to meet these targets, a new study presents six regional scenarios of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) reduction by 2030. These scenarios compare the average annual rate of reduction (AARR) in MMR since 2015 in 34 countries of the Americas. These scenarios focus on the AARR needed to meet the global and regional targets and the actual regional AARR from 2010 to 2015. They then use the theory of either proportional equity or progressive equity to assess the inequality gaps in the region. In proportional equity all countries have an AARR at the same speed. In progressive equity countries with higher MMR have faster AARR than others.

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Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study shows that there must be a considerable reduction in the AARR of the countries of this region. This should happen about five times faster for the global target and three times faster for the regional goal. Plus, there are large inequality gaps in the MMR of these countries. These gaps seemed to be best reduced in scenarios that used progressive equity. This shows that for better equity, countries with higher mean MMRs should reduce their MMR faster than those with lower MMR. A lot of efforts is needed to reduce maternal deaths and disparities between and within the countries in the Americas. These include improving basic health care for socially vulnerable people and places. KEY TAKEAWAY: Reduction in maternal deaths must be faster than the existing rate, and it should follow a fair approach for equity. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being • SDG 5: Gender Equality • SDG 10: Reduced Inequality