The Pan American Health Organization says that despite the progress made in reducing maternal mortality, the challenges remains to ensure all women have access to quality maternal health care.

According to the United Nations report, the leading causes of maternal death in the region include severe hemorrhage, hypertension, pregnancy-related infections and complications from unsafe abortions.

To further reduce maternal deaths, PAHO recommendations include guaranteeing universal access to healthcare, implementing strategies to address the main causes of obstetric complications and strengthening women’s health systems.

In June 2024, PAHO launched the Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths campaign to accelerate actions aimed at improving women’s health.

The organisation said although the Americas account for 3% of the total maternal deaths worldwide, the region shows significant disparities in maternal mortality, with rates ranging from 10 deaths per 100,000 live births in Chile to 328 deaths in Haiti.