What will it take to stop the needless deaths of millions of women and children each year?

Abstract

Each year, almost 10 million children die before their fifth birthday; the majority from easily preventable diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria. Furthermore, 10 million women endure pregnancy-related morbidities annually while 500,000 die in childbirth. The link between maternal and child health is inextricable and worldwide inequities continue to widen: 99% of all neonatal deaths occur in developing countries, while maternal mortality rates are 1,000 times greater for women in poor countries compared to those living in rich nations. These discrepancies [corrected] continue to persist despite the presence of a multitude of simple, cost-effective interventions which could save the lives of millions of women and children worldwide each year for a fraction of the cost associated spent on health care in the developed world.