Women represent nearly half of the world’s
population, however, there are many challenges that exist when promoting
women’s health globally. In addition to a multitude of social issues that
influence gender as a social determinant of health, there are inherent
biological risks that are exclusive to the female gender. Unfortunately, with
the ability to gestate comes greater exposure to the health complications
associated with carrying and birthing children. This is such a severe threat to
women's health worldwide that It is considered to be one of the fundamental
health indicators for a population.
According to the World Health Organization, 75%
of maternal mortality occurs due to severe bleeding, infections, high blood
pressure during pregnancy, complications from delivery, and unsafe abortion (“Maternal
Mortality”, 2014). These conditions are, for the most part, completely
avoidable with proper medical attention during pregnancy and after the birth of
the child. In developed countries, where
most births take place in a medical setting, it is virtually unheard of for a
woman to die during childbirth. Positive outcomes such as these are much less
common in developing country, where 99% of all maternal deaths occur (“Maternal
Mortality”, 2014).
Although all women are susceptible to the same
conditions, there are many barriers for women in developing countries that
stand in the way of receiving care. Whereas nearly all women in high income
countries have regular antenatal care, are attended to by a health worker
during childbirth, and receive postpartum attention, only one third of women in
developing countries have access to care (“Maternal Mortality”, 2014). In rural
areas of these countries, for example, antenatal care is not possible for
pregnant women as a journey to nearest healthcare facility can be many miles.
Unless a woman is fortunate enough to live in an area with roads and access to
transportation, she must travel this great distance on foot, which is out of
the question for a woman in the later stages of her pregnancy. Additionally, If
complications arise during the delivery, the mother, child, or both might
sustain in the time required to obtain the medicines and healthcare workers
needed to save their lives.
With these biological risk factors affecting
such a large populations of women in developing countries, this is a serious
global health issue that truly deserves attention. The first step towards
improving these health outcomes has already been taken by acknowledging and
addressing issues of access. In fact, since 1990 when, the rates of maternal
mortality have nearly been cut in half through progress in the establishment of
healthcare centers and extending the reach or existing ones through house calls
(“Maternal Mortality”, 2014). Although this is encouraging, it also
demonstrates that these women are dying needlessly of reasons that can be
controlled through improved access. Instead of marking a victory, this progress
is a sign that there can be, and should be, much more work done to issue.
Citations
Maternal Mortality.
(2014). The World Health Organization. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
