Overview

• Maternal mortality fell by 40% globally between 2000 and 2023, but progress has stalled over the past decade, according to the WHO.
• In 2023, 260,000 women died from pregnancy-related complications, equating to one death every two minutes, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 70% of these deaths.
• Humanitarian aid reductions, particularly from the United States, are worsening healthcare access in vulnerable regions, threatening to reverse prior gains.
• The COVID-19 pandemic caused an additional 40,000 maternal deaths in 2021 due to direct effects and disruptions in maternity care services.
• The WHO emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen women's reproductive health and rights to combat persistent inequalities and prevent further setbacks.