Abstract
ObjectiveOver time, we have seen a major evolution of measurement initiatives, indicators and methods, such that today a wide range of maternal and perinatal indicators are monitored and new indicators are under development. Monitoring global progress in maternal and newborn health outcomes and development has been dominated in recent decades by efforts to set, measure and achieve global goals and targets: the Millennium Development Goals followed by the Sustainable Development Goals. This paper aims to review, reflect and learn on accelerated progress towards global goals and events, including universal health coverage, and better tracking of maternal and newborn health outcomes.MethodsWe searched for literature of key events and global initiatives over recent decades related to maternal and newborn health. The searches were conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE and the World Health Organization Global Index Medicus.ResultsThis paper describes global key events and initiatives over recent decades showing how maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, and stillbirths, have been viewed, when they have achieved higher priority on the global agenda, and how they have been measured, monitored and reported. Despite substantial improvements, the enormous maternal and newborn health disparities that persist within and between countries indicate the urgent need to renew the focus on reducing inequities.ConclusionThe review has featured the long story of the progress in monitoring improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, but has also underlined current gaps and significant inequities. The many global initiatives described in this paper have highlighted the magnitude of the problems and have built the political momentum over the years for effectively addressing maternal and newborn health and well-being, with particular focus on improved measurement and monitoring.
Highlights
Every day, approximately 810 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth [1], almost 7000 newborns die [2] and more than 7000 babies are stillborn [3], based on the latest annual estimates
We have seen a major evolution of measurement initiatives, indicators and methods, such that monitoring efforts today use a wide range of maternal and perinatal indicators, and new indicators are under development, including indicators for morbidity
This review has featured the long story of the progress in monitoring improving maternal and newborn health (MNH) outcomes, but has underlined current gaps and significant inequities
Summary
Approximately 810 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth [1], almost 7000 newborns die [2] and more than 7000 babies are stillborn [3], based on the latest annual estimates. Late foetal death: A foetal death weighing at least 1000 g, or (if the birthweight is not available) a gestational age of 28 completed weeks or more, or a crown–heel length of 35 cm or more (ICD-10 definition) [7,12]. Foetal death: A foetal death weighing at least 500 g, or (if birthweight is not available) a gestational age of 22 completed weeks or more, or a crown–heel length of 25 cm or more (ICD-10 definition) [7,12]. Peaked in the 1960s, it began to cause alarm, prompting re-assessments of global development and intensified efforts to monitor international population dynamics This brought to light gaping disparities in mortality rates between regions and populations.
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