Maternal health

Maternal health is a foundational determinant of population well-being, encompassing the safety and quality of care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Despite medical advances, maternal morbidity and mortality remain pressing challenges in many regions, often reflecting inequities in access, socioeconomic conditions, and systemic gaps in healthcare delivery.

Risks span direct causes such as hemorrhage, infection, and complications from hypertension, as well as indirect causes tied to preexisting health conditions, nutrition, and environmental exposures. Disparities are stark: women in marginalized, rural, or low-resource settings face higher risks and fewer options for safe care. Policy-makers must design systems that ensure equitable access, clinicians must adhere to evidence-based practices, and civil society advocates push for accountability and expanded support for maternal rights.

Risk sciences can inform this effort by identifying key drivers of maternal outcomes, modeling systemic vulnerabilities, and evaluating interventions across health systems. They provide a structured approach to balancing competing priorities and ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. Risk communication also plays an important role in empowering women and families with information about risks and protective practices.

RSI is dedicated to supporting maternal health, with the expertise and experience needed to strengthen safety, equity, and resilience in this critical sector.