News

Majority of maternal deaths take place in crises and fragile conditions

Rose Yangu, a refugee from South Sudan, after safely giving birth in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement in Uganda. UNFPA supports safe deliveries in emergency situations. © UNFPA/Eveyln Kiapi

13 November 2015

Publication

Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2015

Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division

Number of pages: 98

Publication date: 12 Nov 2015

Author: WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division

The global maternal death ratio fell by 44 per cent between 1990 and 2015. The total number of maternal deaths around the world dropped from about 532,000 in 1990 to an estimated 303,000 in 2015. This equates to an estimated global maternal death ratio of 216 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, down from 385 in 1990.

Press Release

Maternal death ratio has fallen 44 per cent since 1990 – UN

12 November 2015

News

Health experts call for renewed focus on maternal, child deaths

Preventable maternal and newborn deaths continue to plague much of the world. Women and their newborns wait for care at a UNFPA-supported health centre in Haiti. © Jared Chambers

27 October 2015

News

Midwives could help avert millions of maternal and newborn deaths

Abissdoum Charlotte, 26, with her 7-week-old triplets, Morouta, Nasifaté and Nasif. She is receiving post-natal and newborn care at the Cooperative Clinic of Sikecoudji, in Cotonou, Benin. © UNFPA/Ollivier Girard

04 May 2015

News

Bringing lifesaving reproductive health care to remote Mozambique

Constangelina Basílio with her son, Magalhães. Ms. Basílio nearly died while giving birth to Magalhães. She now works as a community health activist. © UNFPA/Amancio Vilankulos

27 April 2015

News

Religious leaders pledge to fight maternal mortality in Kenya

A woman with her infant in Wajir, Kenya. Religious leaders have committed to work towards ending preventable maternal deaths in the 15 counties with the highest maternal mortality rates. © UNFPA Kenya

02 April 2015

H4+

Published on: 12/03/2015

Around the world, over 280,000 women die every year from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Six United Nations agencies have come together in a joint effort called H4+, to reduce child and maternal mortality rates and ensure that all mothers and children have access to the best possible care to enable them to live healthy, productive lives.

The H4+ partnership includes UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, WHO and the World Bank.

Saving Haiti's Mothers

Published on: 08/04/2010

On the ground in Haiti, working to save the lives of mothers during childbirth. This video was original aired on NOW on Public Television, January, 2010.

Ghana: Midwives Deliver

Published on: 17/03/2011

Shows the powerful transformation in Ghana's maternal health care system where investment in midwives promises to dramatically reduce maternal mortality. Profiles a midwife who overcomes cultural and distance barriers to encourage facility deliveries. Producer: Allison Shigo/Co-Producer: Adrian Heinzelman Engel Entertainment

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