Maternal & Child Health

Why Maternal & Child Health?

Maternal mortality rates and child mortality rates in children under 5 remain unacceptably high. This is especially the case in low and middle income countries, where children, as well as women experiencing pregnancy and childbirth, are dying at disproportionately high rates compared to high income countries. In addition, conflict or post-conflict settings can greatly hinder progress on reducing mortality rates among both demographics. 

A majority of maternal and child deaths are preventable. Typically the high rate of deaths are caused by treatable complications such as severe bleeding, infection, and preeclampsia during or after childbirth in the case of women, and infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria in the case of children under 5. By supporting initiatives that provide higher-quality, accessible health services, as well as family planning education and access to contraception, progress towards reducing mortality rates amongst women and children can be made.

Did You Know?

• Every 2 minutes a woman dies from pregnancy related causes.
• 99% of maternal deaths occur in low and middle income countries.
• In low income countries, the maternal mortality rate averages at 430 deaths per 100,000 live births compared with 12 deaths per 100,000 live births in high income countries.
• 5 million children under the age of 5 died in 2021; nearly 47% of these deaths were in newborns.

One Day's Wages comes alongside grassroots partners to provide quality healthcare services for mothers and newborns, health education, and capacity support for health workers.  When you contribute to our Maternal and Child Health fund, 100% of your donation (minus transaction fees) goes directly to our carefully vetted partners implementing health projects for mothers and children in under-resourced communities.