title: Maternal mortality: the magnitude and the causes.
abstract: Half a million women die during childbirth in the world every year. This paper describes the magnitude and the causes and suggests ways in which this tragic loss might be reduced. This paper was the introductory presentation at the ICM Pre-Congress Workshop on Midwifery Education--Action for Safe Motherhood.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Kwast
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors