Maternal mortality and morbidity have decreased at the regional level in the Americas and the Caribbean, but rates still vary greatly within and among countries, according to a progress report on The Plan to Accelerate the Reduction in Maternal Mortality and Severe Maternal Morbidity that was presented today at PAHO's 53rd Directing Council.
The progress report states that regionally, fewer women are dying from pregnancy and childbirth complications: the regional maternal mortality ratio (MMR) - calculated based on data from 23 countries - has fallen 21.4% since the Plan was approved in 2011, from 67.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births to 56.6. However, the report also highlights the fact that inequalities still exist: seven countries reported higher mortality among ethnic populations, and 11 countries reported mortality figures at or above 125 per 100,000 among different areas within the country, meaning that mortality rates can vary greatly within individual countries.
A lack of data continues to be a problem for the region, as the report indicates that none of the countries were able to give a full report on all 19 indicators put forth in the Plan. Several countries had no data to report, and others reported incomplete or incoherent figures.
Among the recommendations put forth in the report are improving access to quality health care for vulnerable populations and bettering mortality and morbidity surveillance.
The Plan to Accelerate the Reduction in Maternal Mortality and Severe Maternal Morbidity, which was approved by PAHO Member States in 2011, has three main goals: increase the rate at which maternal mortality decreases, prevent severe maternal morbidity, and improve surveillance of maternal illnesses and deaths.
LINKS:
Progress report: https://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=27158&Itemid=270&lang=en
