Maternal Survival Gains Have Slowed Globally
As international funding drops, experts point to parliamentary representation as a key driver for health progress.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Women’s Health
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Global progress in maternal and child survival has stalled since 2015, with 700 preventable pregnancy-related deaths occurring daily. During the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Arusha, leaders addressed how governance gaps and funding cuts threaten health outcomes.
Why it matters
Rising fiscal constraints and a 23.3% decline in development assistance are limiting access to essential services for millions. Increased legislative representation of women is being identified as a potential mechanism to improve survival rates and better monitor health system failures.
Data indicates that maternal and child survival gains have slowed globally since 2015. In 2024, 2.3 million newborns died, while 64% of maternal deaths in 2023 occurred in countries experiencing humanitarian crises.
The players
Inter-Parliamentary Union
An international organization of parliaments that works to promote democratic governance and health policy implementation.
PMNCH
A global partnership for maternal, newborn, and child health that coordinates advocacy and evidence-based policy solutions.
The details
Legislatures influence health outcomes by monitoring the implementation of services and identifying systemic gaps in care. When women hold a higher proportion of seats, parliaments are more likely to prioritize resources for reproductive health and child survival. Conversely, current debt-servicing pressures and funding cuts are reducing the capacity for countries to provide basic care, which in turn drives up out-of-pocket expenses that push 90 million people into extreme poverty each year.
Timeline
2015: Maternal and child survival gains began to slow.
2023: Countries in crisis accounted for 64% of maternal deaths.
2024: 2.3 million newborns died.
September 2024: UN General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future.
2025: Total official development assistance fell by 23.3%.
Health Landscape
This development highlights the growing divide between global health commitments and the fiscal reality of current development assistance. It follows a pattern set by the UN General Assembly's Pact for the Future, illustrating the challenges of meeting 2030 mortality targets amidst funding volatility.
While this news focuses on policy, the data underscores the importance of accessing prenatal and neonatal care in underserved regions. Individuals should monitor local health service availability and discuss reproductive health needs with a physician to navigate potential coverage gaps.
The takeaway
Global health outcomes are deeply linked to political representation and public funding commitments. Readers should track the availability of reproductive health services in their regions as a barometer for broader community health stability.
Further reading
For more information on current global trends and advocacy, visit our Women’s Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PMNCH.
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