WASH Improvements In Developing Countries Would Reduce Maternal, Newborn Mortality, Report Says

News outlets discuss a report on water, sanitation, and hygiene and maternal and newborn mortality published in PLOS Medicine.

BBC News: Poor water and hygiene ‘kills mothers and newborns’
“Many mothers and newborns are dying because of a lack of sanitation, safe water, and hygiene while giving birth, leading health experts have warned…” (Mundasad, 12/13).

Bloomberg News: Lack of Water in Developing World Hospitals Kills: Report
“…With an estimated 289,000 women dead from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth last year, about 38 percent of health care facilities in 54 low-income countries don’t have an improved water source, a forthcoming survey by the World Health Organization shows…” (Hackley, 12/12).

Reuters: Improve water and sanitation in clinics to reduce maternal deaths: research
“…Poor access to water and sanitation is associated with higher levels of maternal mortality, therefore improving access in those facilities would rapidly reduce the number of women dying in childbirth, researchers wrote in their paper…” (Mis, 12/12).

VOA News: Report: 300,000 Die Worldwide in 2013 Childbirths
“…The article, written by a team of researchers from organizations including WaterAid, the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UNICEF, and the United Nations Population Fund, estimates that 289,000 would-be mothers died from unsanitary conditions, either at home or in health care facilities…” (Berman, 12/12).

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