Ways to improve maternal and newborn health around the globe were discussed by surgeon Atul Gawande, professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and executive director of Ariadne Labs, and Katherine Semrau, an epidemiologist who leads the Better Birth program at Ariadne Labs, February 13, 2018 on a Project Syndicate’s PS Editors’ Podcast.
“It’s a startling fact that 99% of deaths in childbirth —deaths of moms and babies—are known to be avoidable. We have the knowledge. We even have the will. But although we’ve made progress in reducing those deaths, we still don’t know how to make sure the right thing happens,” Gawande said.
Semrau discussed the study she led in India that found the World Health Organization’s Safe Childbirth Checklist improved quality of care during the 48-hour labor and delivery period—when mothers and babies are most at risk for complications and death. However, the number of deaths did not fall.
Listen to the podcast: Atul Gawande Asks Katherine Semrau How We Can Improve Maternal and Newborn Health
Learn more
Safe Childbirth Checklist could reduce maternal, newborn deaths (Harvard Chan School news)
Optimal country-level C-section rate may be as high as 19 percent to save lives of mothers and infants (Harvard Chan School news)
Tracking progress on maternal and child survival goals (Harvard Chan School news)