A new global survey has revealed that women in the United States are twice as likely to die during childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications as women in Canada. The US is also one of only 13 countries where maternal mortality rates have worsened since 1990, a group that includes North Korea, Zimbabwe and Venezuela.
The study, led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and published by the UN and World Bank, tracks progress against the Millennium Development Goals. It found that only nine nations achieved the target of reducing maternal deaths by 75 per cent since 1990. Globally, maternal deaths are estimated to have fallen from 532,000 in 1990 to 303,000 in 2015, a 43 per cent drop.
However, progress is uneven. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for two-thirds of all maternal deaths, though the region saw a 45 per cent reduction over the period. In the US, the maternal mortality rate rose from 12 to 14 deaths per 100,000 live births over 25 years, while Canada’s rate remained stable at seven. The world average is 216 deaths per 100,000 live births, ranging from 12 in wealthy countries to 546 in sub-Saharan Africa.
Experts attribute the global decline to better access to quality health services during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as family planning. Dr Lale Say of the WHO said: 'This is huge progress, but the progress is uneven across countries.' The UN now aims to reduce the global maternal mortality rate below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
