 |
| Title: |
Why Did Levels of Maternal
Death in Childbirth Decline
in Honduras but Not Guatemala? |
|---|---|
| Where & When: |
Friday, March 19, 2004 341 Eggers Hall 12:30:00 PM - |
| Type of Activity: |
Lecture |
| Summary: |
Each year nearly 600,000 women die due to complications associated with childbirth, making this the leading cause of death globally for women of reproductive age. Since 1987 a global safe motherhood movement has sought to address the issue. However, there is little evidence the movement has made a significant difference in maternal mortality levels. Many observers believe the global initiative has stalled. This talk will compare safe motherhood initiatives in two countries to seek to identify paths forward. The two small, contiguous, impoverished Central American states of Honduras and Guatemala were both encouraged by international organizations in 1987 to prioritize safe motherhood. Honduran officials made safe motherhood a national priority and succeeded in reducing maternal mortality levels. Guatemala, by contrast, reacted indifferently, and has had a more troubled history with maternal mortality. Why did the two states react differently to the global initiative? Why has maternal mortality declined more markedly in Honduras than in Guatemala? Drawing on research conducted in the two countries, this talk will address both questions. |
| Speaking: |
|---|
| Jeremy Shiffman |
| Assistant Professor |
| Public Administration |
| Sponsor: |
|---|
| Development and Social Transformation Forum, Co-Sponsor |
| Maxwell's Women's Caucus, Co-Sponsor |