Three key reports were recently launched, shedding new light on the current situation of Mothers, Maternal Health and Midwifery in the world today:
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- The State of the World's Midwifery 2014 (UNFPA & others)
- State of the World's Mothers 2014 (Save the Children)
- Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 - 2013 (WHO & others)
The State of the World's Midwifery 2014
The State of the World’s Midwifery (SoWMy) 2014 presents findings on midwifery from 73 low and middle- income countries. The report, produced by UNFPA, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the World Health Organization (WHO) and several other partners, shows the progress and trends that have taken place since the inaugural 2011 edition, and also identifies the barriers and challenges to future progress. The report focuses on the urgent need to improve the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of midwifery services. Despite a steady drop in maternal and newborn deaths since 1990, hundreds of thousands of women and newborns continue to die each year during pregnancy and childbirth: An estimated 289,000 women and about 3 million newborn babies died in 2013 alone. The vast majority lost their lives due to complications and illnesses that could have been prevented with proper antenatal care and the presence of a skilled midwife during delivery.
State of the World's Mothers 2014
The State of the World's Mothers Report 2014 is an annual report by Save the Children, which compiles statistics on the health of mothers and children and produces rankings of more than 170 countries, showing where mothers fare best and where they face the greatest hardships. The rankings are presented in the Mothers’ Index, which has been produced annually since the year 2000.
The 2014 report examines the impact of humanitarian crises on maternal, newborn and child survival in countries consistently ranked as the most difficult places to be a mother.
Key findings: Each day, an estimated 800 mothers and 18,000 young children die from largely preventable causes. Over half of these maternal and under-5 deaths take place in fragile settings, which are at high risk of conflict and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters.
The 2014 report examines the impact of humanitarian crises on maternal, newborn and child survival in countries consistently ranked as the most difficult places to be a mother.
Key findings: Each day, an estimated 800 mothers and 18,000 young children die from largely preventable causes. Over half of these maternal and under-5 deaths take place in fragile settings, which are at high risk of conflict and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters.
Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 - 2013
Globally, there were an estimated 289 000 maternal deaths in 2013, a decline of 45% from 1990. The sub- Saharan Africa region alone accounted for 62% (179 000) of global deaths followed by Southern Asia at 24%. At the country level, the two countries that accounted for one third of all global maternal deaths are India at 17% (50 000) and Nigeria at 14% (40 000).
It has been a challenge to assess the extent of progress due to the lack of reliable and accurate maternal mortality data – particularly in developing-country settings where maternal mortality is high. Less than 40% of countries have a complete civil registration system with good attribution of cause of death, which is necessary for the accurate measurement of maternal mortality.
Therefore, as part of on going efforts, the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, The World Bank and the United Nations Population Division updated estimates of maternal mortality for the years 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2013, released in this new report: Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990-2013
It has been a challenge to assess the extent of progress due to the lack of reliable and accurate maternal mortality data – particularly in developing-country settings where maternal mortality is high. Less than 40% of countries have a complete civil registration system with good attribution of cause of death, which is necessary for the accurate measurement of maternal mortality.
Therefore, as part of on going efforts, the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, The World Bank and the United Nations Population Division updated estimates of maternal mortality for the years 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2013, released in this new report: Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990-2013
