title: Improved maternal health since the ICPD: 20 years of progress.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 1994 Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) was a turning point in the field of sexual and reproductive health--repositioning population and development programs globally in the context of reproductive rights, gender equity, and women's empowerment.
  ICPD solidified the importance of women's health and safe motherhood alongside other health and development priorities while laying the groundwork for the Millennium Development Goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some goals envisioned by ICPD have been met. Others still need to be addressed. Global declines in maternal mortality are indicative of success, although improving measurement, quality of care and access to services, while addressing the social determinants that influence maternal health remain priorities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Renewed political will to address the remaining challenges is necessary for the post-2015 development agenda so that women's health throughout the world continues to be supported with ambitious, yet feasible goals that take into account the world's evolving development priorities.
authors: Maternal Health Task Force at the Harvard School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Avenue, 7th floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Timothy N
authors: TN
authors: Thomas
authors: Maternal Health Task Force at the Harvard School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Avenue, 7th floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Jewel
authors: J
authors: Gausman
authors: Maternal Health Task Force at the Harvard School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Avenue, 7th floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Samantha R
authors: SR
authors: Lattof
authors: Maternal Health Task Force at the Harvard School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Avenue, 7th floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: mnwegner@hsph.harvard.edu.
authors: Mary Nell
authors: MN
authors: Wegner
authors: Maternal Health Task Force at the Harvard School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Avenue, 7th floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Annie D
authors: AD
authors: Kearns
authors: Maternal Health Task Force at the Harvard School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Avenue, 7th floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Langer
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008429:Maternal Welfare / Q000639:trends*
keywords: ICPD; International Conference on Population and Development; Maternal health; Reproductive health; Reproductive rights; Sexual health