Maternal Health and Maternal Health and Child MortalityChild Mortality

Block 5, Group 2Block 5, Group 2Chris BullChris Bull

Shally ChoiShally ChoiChris HartChris Hart

Sylvain HihnSylvain HihnKatie KellyKatie KellyJong KimJong Kim

Maternal HealthMaternal Health

Maternal health –Maternal health –A state of complete A state of complete

physical, maternal, physical, maternal, and social well-and social well-being in all matters being in all matters related to the related to the maternal period.maternal period.

Maternal MortalityMaternal Mortality Every year, Every year, more than 500,000more than 500,000

maternal deaths occur worldwide. maternal deaths occur worldwide. The MMR has remained The MMR has remained unchangedunchanged

over the past two to three decades. over the past two to three decades.

When?When? Highest death rate between third Highest death rate between third

trimester and first week after the end trimester and first week after the end of pregnancy of pregnancy

Mortality rates can be especially high Mortality rates can be especially high after an abortion or stillbirth. after an abortion or stillbirth.

Where?Where?Sierra Leone 2100Niger 1800Afghanistan 1800Chad 1500Somalia 1400Angola 1400Rwanda 1300Liberia 1200Guinea Bissau 1100Burundi 1100DR of Congo 1100Nigeria 1100Malawi 1100Cameroon 1000

Where?Where?

Ireland 1Ireland 1

Why?- Direct CausesWhy?- Direct Causes DDominant causesominant causes::

1. Hemorrhage1. Hemorrhage 2. I2. Infectionsnfections 3. Unsafe abortion3. Unsafe abortion 4. High blood pressure4. High blood pressure 5. Obstructed labor5. Obstructed labor

Why?- Direct CausesWhy?- Direct Causes DDominant causesominant causes::

1. Hemorrhage1. Hemorrhage 2. I2. Infectionsnfections 3. Unsafe abortion3. Unsafe abortion 4. High blood pressure4. High blood pressure 5. Obstructed labor5. Obstructed labor

These causes can be prevented with These causes can be prevented with access to proper health care.access to proper health care.

Why?- Indirect CausesWhy?- Indirect Causes HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS DDeaths from accidents, murders, or eaths from accidents, murders, or

suicides while a woman is pregnant suicides while a woman is pregnant or within 42 days of deliveryor within 42 days of delivery

Child MortalityChild Mortality

Child MortalityChild Mortality 9.7 million children died before the age of 5 last 9.7 million children died before the age of 5 last

yearyear ……And that was a record lowAnd that was a record low

Up until now, child mortality has never been Up until now, child mortality has never been below 10 million since 1960below 10 million since 1960

Child mortality is closely linked to povertyChild mortality is closely linked to poverty

Where?Where? Most mortality is occurring Sub-Sahara Africa and Most mortality is occurring Sub-Sahara Africa and

Southern AsiaSouthern Asia Most rapid progress has been made in Latin Most rapid progress has been made in Latin

America, Central/Eastern Europe, and East AsiaAmerica, Central/Eastern Europe, and East Asia

* childinfo.org

Why? - CausesWhy? - Causes Most die from preventable causesMost die from preventable causes

• E.g. Measles vaccinationsE.g. Measles vaccinations Other leading causes include:Other leading causes include:

• PneumoniaPneumonia• DiarrheaDiarrhea• MalnutritionMalnutrition• AIDSAIDS• MalariaMalaria

*NYTimes

ImplicationsImplications ““Relatively simple and inexpensive technologies Relatively simple and inexpensive technologies

can have large positive impacts on the most can have large positive impacts on the most fundamental aspects of well being” (Holdren)fundamental aspects of well being” (Holdren)• E.g. Vaccinations/antibiotics are reducing mortality ratesE.g. Vaccinations/antibiotics are reducing mortality rates

No single action can solve complex problems No single action can solve complex problems such as poor nutrition. However, pilot programs such as poor nutrition. However, pilot programs show promise.show promise.• E.g. Iraq Child Health ProgramE.g. Iraq Child Health Program

Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are related to child mortality.related to child mortality.