| Resumen: |
The report examines circumstances surrounding the deaths of 1 million children on the day they were born (15% of all deaths in the first 5 years of life). The familiarity of the facts makes them no less striking: ten countries account for both 65% of the 3 million deaths of children aged younger than 1 month and 59% of maternal deaths. Many countries with the highest maternal mortality ratios are fragile states, which reinforces the relation of birth outcomes with women s empowerment, health systems, and social factors. To emphasize these points, a Mothers Index is derived from maternal mortality, child mortality, formal schooling, economic status, and political engagement. Of the ten best performing countries, eight are in Europe; whereas all of the ten countries serving women least well are in sub-Saharan Africa. The report makes recommendations to address the underlying causes of newborn mortality, to invest in health workers and low-technology perinatal interventions, and to strengthen health systems and improve access to care. These ongoing challenges feature in today s issue. |
