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Contraceptives

Landmark Study Reveals Key Drivers of Global Decline in Maternal Deaths

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new analysis of maternal mortality over the past two decades has revealed that improvements in both family planning and maternity care have driven the significant decline in global maternal deaths. The study, conducted by the World Health Organisation and the Human Reproduction Programme, used data from 195 countries and territories to examine the relative contributions of maternity care and family planning to the overall decline. The results show that a 41% decrease in global maternal mortality between 2000 and 2023 is largely attributed to improvements in maternity care (61.2%) and fertility reduction (38.8%).

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from 195 countries and territories to examine the relative contributions of maternity care and family planning to global maternal mortality reduction.
  • Improvements in maternity care accounted for 61.2% of the decline in maternal mortality, while fertility reduction accounted for 38.8%.
  • Increased contraceptive use alone averted an estimated 77,400 maternal deaths in 2023, representing nearly one quarter of all maternal deaths averted that year.
  • The study found that access to contraception is not only a matter of human rights, choice, and empowerment but also a proven life-saving intervention.
  • Expanded investments in sexual and reproductive health along with maternity care are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 target.
  • The study highlights the need to integrate family planning and maternity care more effectively, particularly in low-income settings where contraceptive prevalence remains low.
  • Pascale Allotey, Director of the WHO and SRMCAHA, emphasized that access to contraception and quality maternity care are fundamental to saving lives and advancing gender equality.

Statistics:

  • Global maternal mortality declined by 41% between 2000 and 2023.
  • Improvements in maternity care accounted for 61.2% of the decline in maternal mortality.
  • Fertility reduction accounted for 38.8% of the decline in maternal mortality.
  • Increased contraceptive use averted an estimated 77,400 maternal deaths in 2023.
  • Maternal mortality ratio in 2000: 390 deaths per 100,000 live births (SDS 190-590).
  • Maternal mortality ratio in 2023: 230 deaths per 100,000 live births (SDS 130-330).

Sources:

  • The Lancet Global Health
  • "Effect of maternity care improvement, fertility decline, and contraceptive use on global maternal mortality reduction between 2000-2023: results from a decomposition analysis"
  • Pascale Allotey, Director, HRP and WHO's Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing (SRMCAHA)

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