Maternal Mortality Crisis: 2023 Statistics

Maternal Mortality Crisis: A Woman Dies Every Two Minutes, Report Reveals

April 7, 2025

A grim report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations agencies indicates a devastating reality: approximately every two minutes, a woman died in 2023 from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for increased global attention and resources to address maternal health.

While the report, initially published in 2024 regarding 2023 data, highlights a 40% decrease in maternal deaths worldwide between 2000 and 2023, largely attributed to improved access to basic healthcare services, the WHO warns that progress has slowed considerably as 2016. This slowdown raises concerns about meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Growth Goals (SDGs) related to maternal health.

This concerning trend comes amidst an ongoing debate within the U.S. regarding access to reproductive healthcare, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s decision on
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This decision has allowed individual states to regulate or ban abortions,possibly impacting maternal mortality rates,especially in regions with already limited access to healthcare.

The Impact of Funding Cuts on Maternal health

The 2023 data also reveals that reductions in healthcare funding in some regions have negatively impacted the provision of essential services. This has led to cuts in basic healthcare,particularly those focused on maternal,newborn,and child health. This decrease in financial support underscores the challenges that many countries face in maintaining adequate healthcare standards.

In the U.S., debates over Medicaid funding, particularly regarding postpartum care, mirror these global concerns. Extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum women beyond the standard 60 days is a key strategy advocated by many healthcare professionals to improve maternal outcomes and address disparities.

Consider the example of rural hospitals closing across the United States. These closures disproportionately affect women in rural areas, limiting their access to prenatal care, emergency obstetric services, and skilled birth attendants, all of which are critical for preventing maternal deaths.

Enhancing Reproductive Rights and Access to Care

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, emphasized the importance of reproductive rights, stating: “It is indeed necessary to ensure access to good motherhood care and enhance health and reproductive rights for women and girls.”

He further added, “While this report gives some hope, the data also highlights the danger of pregnancy in many parts of the world, although ther are effective solutions to prevent and treat complications that cause the vast majority of mothers’ deaths.”

This call to action highlights the need for complete sex education, access to contraception, and safe abortion services, alongside quality prenatal and postnatal care. Expanding access to midwifery services,particularly in underserved communities,is another crucial step.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: A Race Against Time

A key United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims to reduce maternal mortality rates from 328 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to fewer than 70 cases by 2030. Though, the report indicates that achieving this goal is an “unprecedented challenge,” underscoring the urgent need for drastic measures to safeguard maternal health.

One potential counterargument to aggressive intervention is the perception that maternal mortality is solely a developing world issue. However, the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, highlighting that this is a domestic problem as well. Factors contributing to this include:

• Disparities in access to healthcare based on race and socioeconomic status.
• Rising rates of chronic diseases such as obesity and hypertension among women of reproductive age.
• Lack of coordinated postpartum care and support.

A Woman’s Right to a Healthy Life After Pregnancy

The report emphasizes the fundamental right of women to comprehensive healthcare, asserting that “a woman must have the right to be her healthy life after pregnancy is not limited to survival only, but to live in good health.”

This extends beyond immediate postpartum care to encompass mental health services, access to family planning resources, and support for breastfeeding. Addressing the social determinants of health, such as poverty, food insecurity, and lack of transportation, is also crucial to ensuring healthy pregnancies and positive maternal outcomes.

Such as, several states have implemented “safe haven” laws, allowing mothers to anonymously relinquish newborns at designated locations without fear of prosecution. While these laws address infant abandonment, they also highlight the need for greater support systems for struggling mothers to prevent such desperate measures.

Addressing Maternal Health Disparities: A Call to Action

Comprehensive strategies are needed worldwide to get the U.N.’s 2030 goals back on track, including enhanced strategies within the U.S.

Area of Focus	U.S. Application	Potential Impact
Improved Access to Healthcare	Expand Medicaid coverage, increase funding for community health centers.	Reduces disparities in maternal mortality rates among diffrent racial and socioeconomic groups.
Enhanced Maternal Care	Promote midwifery services, improve access to prenatal and postpartum care.	Lowers rates of preventable complications and maternal deaths.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health	Implement policies to address poverty, food insecurity, and lack of transportation.	Improves overall health outcomes for pregnant women and their children.
Data Collection and Surveillance	Improve maternal mortality review processes, track key indicators.	Provides valuable insights for developing targeted interventions.

What specific policy recommendations and actions are crucial to reverse the negative trends and achieve the UN’s SDG targets?

Maternal Mortality Crisis Interview: Dr. Evelyn Reed on Global and U.S.Trends

Introduction

Welcome to Archyde. Today,we’re discussing the alarming rise in maternal mortality rates worldwide. Joining us is Dr. evelyn Reed, a leading expert in maternal health and Director of the Center for Reproductive Health Policy. Dr. Reed, thank you for being with us.

global Maternal Mortality Trends

Archyde: The latest WHO report indicates a devastating reality: a woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth complications. Can you elaborate on the key findings and the global context?

Dr. Reed: Thank you for having me. The report paints a grim picture, indeed. While there was notable progress in reducing maternal deaths between 2000 and 2016, progress has stalled, and even reversed in some regions, raising significant concerns about achieving the Lasting Development Goals. The primary drivers remain complications like hemorrhage, infections, hypertensive disorders, and unsafe abortion.Addressing these requires a multifaceted approach, focusing on access to quality healthcare, skilled birth attendants, and reproductive rights.

The Impact of U.S.Policies

Archyde: The report also touches on the impact of policies, especially in the U.S. In light of the Dobbs decision and debates around healthcare funding, what are the implications for maternal health in the United States?

Dr. Reed: The consequences are alarming, especially within the United States. Restricting access to abortion can lead to an increase in maternal deaths. Medicaid coverage policies,the closure of rural hospitals,and disparities in healthcare access contribute considerably to high maternal mortality rates among specific populations. This is why extended postpartum care and investments in community health centers are critical.

Addressing Disparities

Archyde: the issue of disparities based on race and socioeconomic status is often cited. How can we tackle these inequalities to improve maternal health outcomes, both globally and within the U.S. context?

Dr. Reed: Addressing disparities requires a comprehensive approach. This involves improving access to healthcare,especially for underserved communities,and addressing the social determinants of health,such as poverty,food insecurity and lack of transportation.Investing in safe and affordable housing,job training programs and health literacy play critical roles.The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, further highlighting the inequalities in access to comprehensive maternal health care.

Recommendations and Future directions

Archyde: What specific policy recommendations and actions are crucial to reverse the negative trends and achieve the UN’s SDG targets?

Dr. Reed: We need a renewed global commitment to maternal health. This includes expanding access to reproductive rights, ensuring access to quality healthcare, and addressing the social determinants of health. Specific policy changes within the U.S. include the expansion of Medicaid coverage for postpartum care, increasing funding for community health centers, and expanding access to midwifery services. Data collection and surveillance are also crucial to identify the specific needs and challenges within different communities.

Looking Forward

Archyde: What do you see as the biggest challenge in securing a woman’s right to a healthy life, and what gives you hope for the future?

Dr. Reed: The biggest challenge is the persistent lack of political will and funding at both a global and national level. However, I see a lot of hope in the growing advocacy of women and grassroots movements pushing for systemic change globally. The dedication of healthcare professionals and community leaders also gives me great hope. Investing in resources to empower people, and support reproductive rights and health can allow for women to have options for their well-being, both mentally and physically.

Conclusion

Archyde: Dr. Reed, thank you for your insights and time today. It is clear that addressing the maternal mortality crisis demands immediate attention, and a dedicated long-term commitment. Are there any final thoughts?

Dr.Reed: Yes. It’s crucial to emphasize that maternal health is not just a woman’s issue; it is a societal issue. We must expand support systems for struggling mothers since they are essential within the society that they live. We need to implement practical solutions, and to make this a priority. We need to listen to the voices of women and make the necessary changes, and make this a priority.