CGPH FACULTY: Suellen Miller
DATE OF PUBLICATION: August 2015
REGION: Global
REFERENCE: Miller S, Belizán JM. The true cost of maternal death: individual tragedy impacts family, community and nations. Reprod Health. 2015 Jun 17;12:56. doi: 10.1186/s12978-015-0046-3.
SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: The death of a woman in pregnancy and childbirth is globally considered an individual tragedy and a human rights violation. Given the inequities in death that occur to marginalized, poor, and vulnerable women in low and middle income countries, there is no doubt that maternal death is a horrific injustice. However, the long term global burden of disease goes far beyond this tragedy. Recent research is demonstrating that there are disastrous consequences in infant and child mortality, loss of economic opportunities, spiraling cycles of poverty in the families and communities where women die giving birth. It is important in this period of post-MDG strategy planning period that donors, governments, and NGOs be aware not only of the individual level tragedy of the loss of a mother’s life, but also the financial and health costs associated with maternal mortality, and to keep the focus on maternal health as a key issue in all aspects of development, not just health.
ACCESS: Link to Pubmed