Maternal Health

Written By Sebastián Prida

Progress in maternal health has flatlined.

After a one-third drop in maternal mortality between 2000 and 2015, global progress has slowed. In 2020, there were still 223 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births—well above the Sustainable Development Goal target of 70 by 2030. Meeting this target now requires an annual reduction of 11.6%, a much steeper pace than recent trends. Skilled birth attendance has increased from 61% in 2000 to 86% in 2023, but the rate of improvement remains slightly below the 90% global goal set for 2025.

Insights

Political: Renewed global commitment is needed to prioritize maternal health in national health agendas.

Economic: If current stagnation continues, the long-term costs could be significant. Strengthening health systems with the right level of investment could prevent more than 1 million maternal deaths.

Social: Women in low-income states face the highest risks due to ongoing inequalities, as these areas continue to have the lowest access to skilled care.

Technological: Innovation in telehealth, Electronic Medical Records, and remote diagnostics could help reach underserved populations with timely maternal care.

Legal: Expanding maternal rights, professional midwifery standards, and equitable coverage are key to overcoming service disparities.

Environmental: Events such as floods and hurricanes can disrupt healthcare services, limit access to maternal care, and increase the risk of pregnancy complications.

Reflective Questions

  • How might we redesign maternal care systems to accelerate progress?

  • What scalable innovations could deliver skilled birth support in resource-constrained or fragile settings?

  • How can health policies more equitably address the structural drivers behind maternal mortality disparities?

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References:

United Nations, 2017. Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: resolution/adopted by the General Assembly. New York: United Nations. A/RES/71/313. Available at: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/1291226?v=pdf

World Health Organization, 2023. Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2020: estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and UNDESA/Population Division. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/366225

United Nations Children’s Fund and World Health Organization, 2024. Delivery care: UNICEF/WHO joint database on births attended by skilled health personnel. New York: United Nations Children’s Fund and World Health Organization. Available at: https://data.unicef.org/topic/maternal-health/delivery-care/

World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund and United Nations Population Fund, 2023. Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth: progress report 2023. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/367617

Sebastián Prida
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