Substantial reductions in maternal and child deaths
have been achieved worldwide in the last two decades.
The global maternal mortality ratio reduced by 47% in
1990–2010 and the under-5 mortality reduced by 47% in
1990–2012.1,2 However, this falls short of the rates of
reduction needed by 2015 to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5. Despite rapid
economic growth in many Asian countries, south Asia
still accounts for a third of child and maternal mortality
(appendix). Communicable, maternal, neonatal, and
nutritional causes account for 25% of deaths and remain
dominant causes of premature mortality in sub-Saharan
Africa.3
Maternal causes are a significant cause of death
for women aged 15–34 years, accounting for 11% of
deaths in 2010.3
Sustained global and regional efforts are being made
to support countries to accelerate progress, including
the UN Secretary-General’s Global Strategy for
Women’s and Children’s Health, and the Campaign on
Accelerated Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child
Mortality in Africa.4–7 As part of these initiatives, much
work has been done to calculate where additional
investment is needed to improve health systems and
service delivery in low-income countries.8,9 Our analysis
builds on this work, with particular focus on the
substantial social and economic benefits that can
accrue when a country invests in the health of its
women and children.