Lancet Global Health published a new study, Potential impact of midwives in preventing and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and stillbirths: a Lives Saved Tool modelling study, that documents the potential impact of midwives in preventing and reducing maternal and newborn mortality and stillbirths. Led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Confederation of Midwives and the World Health Organization, the study—based on data from 88 countries—calls for greater investment in the profession, not only to increase the numbers of midwives but to improve their education, training, regulation and working environment.
According to the study, scaling up the provision of midwife-led care across the world could potentially reduce maternal deaths by 67%, newborn deaths by 64% and stillbirths by 65% if midwives were enabled to provide a range of interventions from family planning to post-natal care. This could equate to saving 4.3 million lives per year by 2035.
Johnson & Johnson Center for Health Worker Innovation in partnership with UNFPA and the Wilson Center hosted a panel discussion about the implication of the study. Recording of the panel discussion can be found here.
UNFPA also developed an infographic highlighting key findings from the study.