This paper summarizes the importance ofimproving maternal and reproductive health, the progressmade to date and lessons learned, and the major challengesconfronting programs today. The paper highlights theprogress that some countries, including very poor ones, havemade in reducing maternal mortality, but cautions thatprogress in many countries remains slow. Relying on evidencefrom the most recent research and survey information, thepaper also analyzes the key determinants and evidence oneffective interventions for attaining the maternal healthMDG. The paper finds that key interventions to improvematernal and reproductive health and reduce maternalmortality include the following mutually reinforcingstrategies: (a) mobilizing political commitment andfostering an enabling policy environment; (b) investing insocial and economic development such as female education,poverty reduction, and improvements in women's status;(c) providing family planning services; (d) ensuring qualityantenatal care, skilled attendance during childbirth, andavailability of emergency obstetric services for pregnancycomplications; and (e) strengthening the health system andcommunity involvement. The paper emphasizes that carryingout interventions remains a challenge in environments wherepolitical commitment, policies, as well as institutions andhealth systems, are weak. The paper concludes with guidinglessons from some of the countries that have successfullyimproved maternal health and with a discussion of some ofthe difficulties of measuring maternal mortality andmorbidity outcomes.
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