Maternal and child health is the health of women and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to ensure a positive and fulfilling experience, in most cases, and reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality, in other cases. Maternal deaths decline slowly with vast inequalities worldwide. In countries that provide everyone with safe, affordable, high-quality health services, women and babies survive and thrive. Improving the well-being of mothers, infants, and children is an important public health goal for the United States and the world. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help predict future public health challenges for families, communities, and the health care system. The objectives of the Maternal, Infant, and Child Health topic area address a wide range of conditions, health behaviors, and health systems indicators that affect the health, wellness, and quality of life of women, children, and families. Pregnancy can provide an opportunity to identify existing health risks in women and to prevent future health problems for women and their children. These health risks may include: Hypertension and heart disease; Diabetes; Depression; Intimate partner violence; Genetic conditions; Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); Tobacco, alcohol, and substance use; Inadequate nutrition; Unhealthy weight. Healthy birth outcomes and early identification and treatment of developmental delays and disabilities and other health conditions among infants can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential. Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Environmental and social factors such as access to health care and early intervention services, educational, employment, and economic opportunities, social support, and availability of resources to meet daily needs influence maternal health behaviors and health status. Racial and ethnic disparities exist in infant mortality and can be partly attributed to disparities in social determinants of health. Child health status varies by both race and ethnicity, as well as by family income and related factors, including educational attainment among household members and health insurance coverage. Child health status and well-being can also be influenced by access to high-quality health care, such as that received through a medical home and maternity care practices that promote breastfeeding and safe sleep environments.
In September 2019, new report on maternal mortality released by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, estimates a worldwide number of 295 000 maternal deaths in 2017. Maternal deaths in the world’s least developed countries are high, estimated at 415 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births with the lifetime risk as high as 1 in 37 for a 15-year old girl in sub-Saharan Africa. In comparison, the same girl living in Australia or New Zealand would have a risk of just 1 in 7800. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia accounted for approximately 86% (254 000) of the estimated global maternal deaths in 2017 with sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for roughly 66% (196 000). Southern Asia accounted for nearly 20% (58 000) and South-Eastern Asia accounted for over 5% of global maternal deaths (16 000). According to new child and maternal mortality estimates released by United Nations groups, 6.2 million children under 15 years died in 2018, and over 290 000 women died due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth in 2017. An estimated 2.8 million pregnant women and newborns die every year, or 1 every 11 seconds, mostly of preventable causes. “Despite the ambition to end preventable maternal deaths by 2030, at the current rate of progress, the world will tragically fall short of this target by more than 1 million lives.” Dr. Doris Chou, WHO Medical Officer