Global Health Issue: Magnitude of Maternal Mortality

Global Health Issue Name Institution Global Health Issue Global health issues refer to those issues that require collaboration between countries, health systems, and organizations in formulating solutions because such issues lack a geographic limitation, thus the need for international collaboration (Bradbury-Jones & Clark, 2017). One of the main global health issues that need attention from health professionals is the issue of maternal health and mortality. Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman that is associated with pregnancy and childbirth (Edmonson, McCarthy, Trent-Adams, & McCain, 2017). Thus, effective pregnancy management during the pregnancy and after is part of what healthcare professionals can do to reduce maternal deaths. Paying attention to maternal health is imperative because maternal deaths have been associated with several social and economic challenges. For instance, maternal deaths have been associated with increased financial burdens on the families of the deceased. In most cases, mothers play a significant role in sustaining the family financially and their death causes a decline in the income generated within the family (Kes, et al., 2016). The responsibility of providing for the family is left solely on the man, thus the increased financial burden. Further, maternal deaths also cause a shift in family roles because the father has to step in and take care of the kids in terms of cooking, feeding, and even bathing them, a role that is traditionally reserved for mothers (Kes, et al., 2016). Such a social change requires a high level of adjustment and can cause a strain on other relationships within the community affected. Finally, maternal deaths also contribute to education loss for the remaining children (Bazile, et al., 2015). The older children have to stay at home and help with taking care of the young ones and the financial challenges also keep them away from school. Magnitude of Maternal Mortality Maternal mortality is quite extensive, especially in developing countries, although positive changes have been made over the decades. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) (2018), globally, around 830 women die every day as a result of pregnancy and childbirth complications. A majority of those complications are preventable, which points to the need for intergovernmental and healthcare professionals co-operation in addressing the issue. It also points out to why the reduction of maternal deaths is part of the UN sustainable development goals (SDG). The positive changes experienced over the decades include a reduction of maternal deaths by approximately 29% between the year 1990 to 2015 (Kassebaum, et al., 2016). Given that the SDGs target is a reduction of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to approximately 70 per 100,000 births (WHO, 2018), there is still a long way to go for healthcare professionals and the international community. According to Kassebaum, et al. (2016), the global MMR as of 2015 was 195.7 per 100,000 live births. Dropping this value to 70 will require a lot of collaboration and willingness to change the situation. Using the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), which gives a summary measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and fertility rate, coun...