Global Analysis Shows Maternal Mortality Fell 41% Since 2000 – European Medical Journal

Analysis of Global Maternal Mortality Reduction (2000-2023) and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A comprehensive analysis of maternal mortality trends across 195 countries from 2000 to 2023 reveals a significant 41% reduction in global maternal deaths. This progress is a critical step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly Target 3.1, which aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio. The study identifies improved maternity care and reduced fertility rates as the two primary drivers of this decline.

Key Drivers of Maternal Mortality Decline and Contribution to SDG 3

Decomposition and counterfactual modelling quantified the specific contributions of different factors to the reduction in maternal deaths, highlighting a direct correlation with efforts to advance SDG 3.

1. Improved Maternity Care (61.2%): The most significant factor was the enhancement of maternity care services. This includes safer childbirth practices, expanded access to professional obstetric care, and the strengthening of overall health systems. These improvements are central to the mandate of SDG 3.
2. Fertility Reduction (38.8%): A decline in fertility rates, resulting in fewer lifetime pregnancies per woman, accounted for a substantial portion of the mortality reduction. This directly lowers women’s cumulative exposure to pregnancy-related risks, contributing to better health outcomes as envisioned by SDG 3.

The Role of Contraception in Advancing SDG 3 and SDG 5

The analysis underscores the critical role of family planning in achieving global health and gender equality targets. Increased contraceptive use is a primary driver of fertility reduction and directly supports multiple SDGs.

• Preventing Maternal Deaths: In 2023 alone, rising contraceptive prevalence in low- and middle-income countries is estimated to have prevented 77,400 maternal deaths.
• Achieving SDG Target 3.7: This finding validates the importance of SDG Target 3.7, which calls for universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information, and education.
• Supporting SDG 5 (Gender Equality): By enabling women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, expanded access to contraception is fundamental to achieving SDG 5, particularly Target 5.6 concerning sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

Regional Disparities and Challenges to SDG Attainment

While progress has been made, the report notes significant regional variations. Fertility reduction had a more pronounced effect in Latin America and the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Asia. However, the analysis cautions that progress has slowed or stalled in recent years, and absolute maternal mortality remains unacceptably high in many regions, jeopardizing the timely achievement of the SDG 3.1 target.

Strategic Recommendations for Achieving SDG Target 3.1

To accelerate progress and meet the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births, a dual strategy is imperative. The global community must increase and sustain investment in two key areas:

1. Strengthening Maternity Care Systems: Continue to scale up high-quality maternity care, ensuring universal access to skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services, and effective referral systems.
2. Expanding Family Planning Services: Broaden access to modern contraception and comprehensive family planning services to support fertility reduction and empower women, in line with SDG 3 and SDG 5.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The entire article is focused on health-related issues, specifically maternal health. It discusses the reduction of maternal deaths, the importance of maternity care, obstetric services, and the role of health systems. These topics are central to the objectives of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.1: Reduce global maternal mortality

   The article explicitly mentions the SDG target of achieving “fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.” The core analysis of the article revolves around the “41% drop in global maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023” and the factors contributing to this reduction, directly addressing the progress and challenges related to this target.

2. Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services

   The article heavily emphasizes the role of family planning and contraception in reducing maternal mortality. It states that “rising contraceptive prevalence…is estimated to have prevented 77,400 maternal deaths in 2023 alone” and calls for “expanding access to modern contraception and family planning services.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring universal access to reproductive health services as outlined in Target 3.7.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 3.1.1: Maternal mortality ratio

   This indicator is central to the article. The text explicitly refers to the target of “fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births,” which is the maternal mortality ratio. The entire study is an analysis of the “drop in global maternal deaths,” which is measured by this ratio.

2. Indicator 3.1.2: Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel

   The article implies this indicator by highlighting that the largest gains in reducing maternal mortality came from “safer childbirth, expanded obstetric care, and stronger health systems.” It further calls for scaling up “high-quality maternity care, including skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services, and timely referral systems.” The presence and use of skilled birth attendants are a direct measure of this progress.

3. Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods

   This indicator is strongly implied through the discussion on contraception. The article quantifies the impact of “increased contraceptive use” and “rising contraceptive prevalence.” It advocates for “expanding access to modern contraception,” which is a direct measure of how well the need for family planning is being met.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: emjreviews.com