The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a new study on the maternal mortalityThe report highlights that the main causes of death are hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders, such as preeclampsiaThese problems caused between 50,000 and 80,000 deaths in 2020, which shows a lack of access to adequate health services.
Hemorrhage and preeclampsia: leading causes of maternal deaths
The Hemorrhage, which occurs mainly during or after childbirth, accounts for 27% of maternal deaths. Preeclampsia, a serious hypertensive disorder, causes 16% of these deaths. Without proper treatment, preeclampsia can lead to bleeding, stroke, and other serious problems.
The study also highlights other conditions such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, diabetes and anemiaThese diseases are not always detected early, which increases the risk of serious complications during pregnancy.
Urgent need for comprehensive maternal care
WHO emphasizes the need for improve maternal care at various stages of pregnancyThis includes prenatal care to detect risks and prevent serious complications. It is also essential to provide emergency obstetric care during delivery and adequate follow-up afterward.
The study highlights that many deaths occur during or shortly after childbirth, making this a key time to save lives. However, in many low-income countries, basic postpartum checkups are not performed, exacerbating the situation.
Inequality in access to health services
According to the Dr Pascale Allotey from WHOMaternal mortality also reflects enormous inequity. Ensuring that all women receive quality care is crucial. Women must have access to adequate medical services before, during, and after childbirth, regardless of their place of residence.
The study also highlights that many maternal deaths are underreported. In particular, more information is needed on the Maternal suicide, which is only reported in 12 countries. Furthermore, many late maternal deaths, which occur within a year of birth, are not recorded correctly.
The WHO is working to improve access to quality maternal health services. In 2024, the WHO launched a roadmap to combat postpartum hemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal death. Global commitments have also been made to improve the quality of care in the 194 member countries of the World Health Assembly.
World Health Day 2025 will be dedicated to maternal, newborn, and child health. The campaign will call for renewed efforts to ensure that women and newborns have access to high-quality health care, especially in the poorest countries and those experiencing crises.
Study data
The study, published in The Lancet Global Health, is based on data collected by the WHO between 2009 and 2020. The report updates 2014 research, which had previously identified hemorrhage as the leading cause of maternal death.
In April 2025, new estimates of maternal deaths will be published at the global, regional, and national levels. These data will be critical for continuing to improve maternal health and reduce pregnancy-related mortality.
