Reduction in global maternal mortality rate 1990–2012 : Iran as a case example

Out of a total of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) set by the United Nations, MDG5 aimed to improve maternal health worldwide. This was specifically aimed at reducing childbirth-related deaths for mothers by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. The total number of maternal deaths globally has declined by 45% from 523,000 in 1990 to 289,000 in 2013 (WHO 2014). This reduction, as an indicator of improving maternal health globally, is a remarkable achievement. There has however been wide variation in this improvement (WHO 2014) which needs thorough evaluation, individually and as a cross comparison, in order to extract constructive lessons to enhance the health of mothers, families and communities subsequently. This commentary focuses on issues related to maternal mortality ratio (MMR) reduction and contributing factors in Iran; identified as one of the leading countries achieving the highest percentage MMR reduction since 1990 (WHO, 2014).