Success factors for reducing maternal and child mortality

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Development Studies
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Reducing maternal and child mortality remains a critical global health priority, extending beyond the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
• While interventions are known, understanding why some countries achieve faster progress than others is less clear.
• The Success Factors for Women's and Children's Health studies address this gap by examining progress in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the success factors contributing to accelerated reductions in maternal and child mortality in LMICs.
• To understand the strategies employed by fast-track countries in achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5a.
• To provide evidence for improving women's and children's health beyond 2015.

Main Methods:

• Statistical and econometric analyses of data from 144 LMICs over 20 years.
• Boolean, qualitative comparative analysis (QCA).
• Literature review and country-specific reviews in 10 fast-track countries.

Main Results:

• No single formula exists; fast-track countries utilize tailored strategies and adapt to change.
• Effective approaches involve engaging multiple sectors (health and non-health) to address determinants of child mortality.
• Successful countries mobilize diverse partners, use evidence for decision-making, and employ triple planning (immediate, long-term, adaptive).

Conclusions:

• Accelerated progress in reducing maternal and child mortality requires multi-sectoral engagement and adaptive strategies.
• Effective governance, evidence-based decision-making, and stakeholder mobilization are crucial for sustained health improvements.
• This synthesis offers insights for global learning and future health policy development for women and children.