Maternal mortality: Your ethnicity is a strong determinant of whether you survive childbirth
Maternal mortality: Your ethnicity is a strong determinant of whether you survive childbirth CNN
sdgtalks
Latest State of World Population Report Highlights Inequalities in Maternal Healthcare
Introduction
According to the latest State of World Population Report, women and girls who are poor, belong to ethnic, racial, and Indigenous minority groups are more likely to die due to lack of access to timely healthcare. This report, published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), celebrates advances in sexual and reproductive health while highlighting the persisting inequalities faced by millions of women and girls.
Main Findings
The report tracks progress in multiple areas related to sexual and reproductive health, including teenage pregnancy rates, HIV infection rates, domestic violence legislation, and access to contraception. However, the most concerning findings are related to maternal mortality, which refers to deaths during and following pregnancy and childbirth. The report states that there has been zero reduction in maternal mortality since 2016, with rates even rising in some countries.
Inequalities in Maternal Healthcare
The UK and the US are among the 19 countries worldwide estimated to have a higher maternal mortality ratio in 2020 compared to 1990. Black women and the poorest women in these countries are the most vulnerable to maternal mortality. In the US, Hispanic women also face a higher risk than the national average. Additionally, factors such as caste, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status contribute to maternal healthcare inequalities. Conflict and humanitarian crises result in nearly 500 preventable maternal deaths per day. Furthermore, significant disparities exist between countries, with African women being 130 times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications compared to women in Europe and Northern America.
Root Causes of Maternal Deaths
The report attributes these deaths to weak health systems tainted by gender inequality, racial discrimination, and misinformation. Former UN Director Dr. Mahmoud Fathalla emphasizes that mothers are not dying due to untreatable diseases, but rather because societies have yet to prioritize their lives.
Recommendations for Improvement
The report calls for comprehensive, universal, and inclusive healthcare grounded in human rights and evidence-based practices. It highlights four concrete ways to improve maternal healthcare, including enhancing access to affordable and quality services.
“This work is vitally important, it is just, and it is possible,” says UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births | Indicator: Maternal mortality ratio (number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere | Indicator: Rates of maternal mortality among different groups of women (e.g., ethnic, racial, Indigenous minority groups) |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including through eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices | Indicator: Disparities in maternal mortality rates based on factors such as race, ethnicity, caste, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article addresses the issue of maternal mortality, which is a key concern under SDG 3. Maternal mortality refers to deaths during and following pregnancy and childbirth. The article highlights that there has been zero reduction in maternal mortality since 2016 and that rates are rising in many countries, including the UK and the US.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article emphasizes the disparities in maternal mortality rates among different groups of women, such as those who are poor, belong to ethnic, racial, and Indigenous minority groups. It also mentions that Black women and the poorest women are most likely to die in the UK and the US. These issues are connected to the goal of achieving gender equality and ending discrimination against women and girls.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article highlights various factors beyond race and ethnicity that contribute to maternal mortality, such as caste, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status. It also mentions that inequalities between countries persist, with African women being significantly more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications compared to women in Europe and Northern America. These issues are relevant to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and between countries.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
The article mentions that there has been zero reduction in maternal mortality since 2016 and that rates are rising in many countries. Achieving this target is crucial to improving maternal health and well-being.
Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
The article highlights the disparities in maternal mortality rates among different groups of women, such as those who are poor, belong to ethnic, racial, and Indigenous minority groups. Achieving this target involves addressing the root causes of discrimination and ensuring equal access to healthcare for all women and girls.
Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including through eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices
The article emphasizes the disparities in maternal mortality rates based on factors such as race, ethnicity, caste, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status. Achieving this target requires addressing discriminatory laws, policies, and practices that contribute to these inequalities.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
Indicator: Maternal mortality ratio (number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births)
The article states that there has been zero reduction in maternal mortality since 2016 and that rates are rising in many countries. Monitoring the maternal mortality ratio is essential to track progress towards Target 3.1 of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
Indicator: Rates of maternal mortality among different groups of women (e.g., ethnic, racial, Indigenous minority groups)
The article highlights the disparities in maternal mortality rates among different groups of women, such as those who are poor, belong to ethnic, racial, and Indigenous minority groups. Monitoring these rates can help assess progress towards Target 5.1 of ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere.
Indicator: Disparities in maternal mortality rates based on factors such as race, ethnicity, caste, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status
The article emphasizes the impact of various factors beyond race and ethnicity on maternal mortality rates. Monitoring these disparities can help measure progress towards Target 10.3 of reducing inequalities of outcome and eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births | Indicator: Maternal mortality ratio (number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere | Indicator: Rates of maternal mortality among different groups of women (e.g., ethnic, racial, Indigenous minority groups) |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including through eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices | Indicator: Disparities in maternal mortality rates based on factors such as race, ethnicity, caste, immigration status, sexual
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together. Source: cnn.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
|
