PMNCH maternal, newborn and child health brief

Overview

Dramatic reductions have been achieved in maternal, newborn and child health in recent decades. Yet deep inequities remain between and within countries, which are being exacerbated by COVID-19. For instance, although the global maternal mortality ratio is estimated to have fallen by 38% between 2000 and 2017, 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low- and lower middle-income countries. Maternal mortality increases, on average, by 11% in conflict zones and by 28% in the worst hit areas.