WHO Report | A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth

Summary: This new report by United Nations agencies shows that a woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth. The report covers maternal deaths from 2000 to 2020 and reveals that maternal deaths either increased or stagnated in nearly all regions of the world, with some regions experiencing major setbacks. The poorest parts of the world and countries affected by conflict continue to have the highest rates of maternal deaths. Severe bleeding, high blood pressure, pregnancy-related infections, complications from unsafe abortion, and underlying conditions aggravated by pregnancy are the leading causes of maternal deaths, which are largely preventable and treatable with access to high-quality healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic may have further held back progress on maternal health. The report calls for urgent action to ensure every woman and girl has access to critical health services before, during, and after childbirth, so they can fully exercise their reproductive rights.

News Release: A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth: UN agencies – World Health Organization

Report: Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2020: estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and UNDESA/Population Division – World Health Organization

Commentaries:

Ambitious goal to slash maternal deaths in jeopardy – Nature

U.N.: Progress on reducing global maternal mortality has stalled since 2015 – STAT

Eight Hundred Women Die Every Day During Pregnancy or Childbirth – Health Policy Watch