American national coalition to promote health of women and families

Citation

Morris, B. (2001), "American national coalition to promote health of women and families", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 14 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2001.06214fab.006

American national coalition to promote health of women and families

American national coalition to promote health of women and families

A number of organisations and agencies have formed a coalition to promote the health of women, children and families as part of the Safe Motherhood Initiatives-USA. Through an advocacy program Safe Motherhood Initiatives-USA seeks to reduce and, ultimately eliminate, the dangers that can harm a woman's health during pregnancy or childbirth.

Even though the medical and public health system has mastered many health problems, there are still significant risks associated with pregnancy and birth. The coalition estimates that from 1990 to 1995 over 2,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes. According to the National Center for’Health Statistics, from 1982-1996 maternal deaths in the United States were not reduced. A total of 20 countries have lower maternal death rates than the US.

Safe Motherhood Initiatives-USA envisions a future in which all pregnancies are intended, all women will complete childbirth in good health and no woman will die or be harmed as a result of being pregnant. To accomplish these goals, the group will focus on the priority areas of expanding access to care and improving maternity care services.

Further information from the coalition's Web site www.smi-usa.org.