A new global analysis has shed light on the persistent and preventable crisis of maternal mortality, revealing that a pregnant woman or new mother dies every two minutes worldwide. The findings, published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in The Lancet Global Health journal, offer crucial insights into why these deaths occur and how they can be prevented.

According to the WHO, an estimated 287,000 maternal deaths occurred in 2020. These deaths, which happen anytime from pregnancy through six weeks after childbirth, are directly related to pregnancy complications. The vast majority take place in low-income countries, with women in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia facing the highest risks.

Top Causes of Maternal Deaths

The report, the WHO’s first global update in more than a decade, identifies severe bleeding (haemorrhage), preeclampsia, and high blood pressure complications as the most common causes of maternal deaths. If untreated, these conditions can quickly lead to organ failure, stroke, or death.

Other leading causes include sepsis, blood clots, infections, chronic health conditions worsened by pregnancy, and unsafe abortion complications.

Additionally, while maternal mental health remains underreported in many countries, researchers warn that suicide is a major concern for women in their first year after childbirth.

A Reflection of Broader Health Disparities

Experts emphasize that maternal deaths are a warning sign of deeper health, social, and political challenges.

“If women have access to quality care and their social needs are met, they generally don’t die,” said Joyce Browne, a global health expert at University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands.

For instance, the higher risk of haemorrhage in low-income countries reflects persistent inequities in emergency medical care, where a lack of trained staff and resources means some women bleed to death within hours of giving birth.

Meanwhile, in Latin America and the Caribbean, more women die from high blood pressure-related complications, which often develop within the first week after delivery.

Beyond mortality, many women experience severe childbirth complications, known as “near-misses.” A separate study found that one in 20 women in sub-Saharan Africa and one in six in Guatemala suffer life-threatening complications during childbirth.

Solutions to Improve Maternal Health

Dr. Jenny Cresswell, the study’s lead author, stressed that many maternal deaths are preventable with better coordination between obstetrics, emergency care, primary healthcare, and mental health services.

“These interventions are not rocket science,” Cresswell told Euronews Health.

Strengthening healthcare systems in lower-income countries could yield significant improvements, she said. Even incremental progress—such as monitoring a baby’s heartbeat every hour instead of every few minutes in resource-limited areas—can save lives.

However, the study only includes data through 2020, meaning it does not account for how the COVID-19 pandemic further strained healthcare systems. Experts fear that progress has stalled, especially as global health funding cuts, including in maternal and child health programs, add more uncertainty.

Signs of Progress and the Road Ahead

Despite these challenges, there have been notable successes. Since 2000, 69 countries have halved their maternal mortality rates, and sub-Saharan Africa has reduced its rate by 33%.

The key to saving more lives, experts say, is investing in proven solutions and ensuring that every woman, regardless of where she lives, has access to quality maternal care.

“We have good data on why women are dying,” Cresswell said. “The important thing is to invest in solutions to prevent it from happening again.”

Men with higher-quality sperm may live longer lives, according to a new study that suggests semen health could serve as a key indicator of overall well-being.

The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, analyzed data from nearly 80,000 Danish men over a follow-up period of up to 50 years. The participants had undergone semen quality assessments in laboratories as part of fertility evaluations.

Researchers examined several factors, including semen volume, sperm concentration, and the percentage of motile sperm—those that move efficiently and have a normal shape. Their findings revealed that men with higher numbers of motile sperm had life expectancies two to three years longer than those with lower counts.

“In absolute terms, men with a total motile sperm count of more than 120 million lived 2.7 years longer than men with a total motile count between zero and five million,” said Dr. Lærke Priskorn, senior researcher at Copenhagen University Hospital and the study’s lead author.

She emphasized that the lower the semen quality, the lower the life expectancy—a pattern that was not explained by pre-existing health conditions or education levels.

Semen Quality as a Health Indicator

Experts believe that semen quality could act as a biomarker for overall health in men. Previous research cited in the study found that men with lower sperm concentration were hospitalized an average of seven years earlier, indicating that impaired fertility may be linked to shorter and less healthy lives.

“The current findings add to the growing body of research showing that semen quality is an important marker of current health and predictive of future health across a man’s lifespan,” said Dr. Germaine Buck Louis, dean of the College of Health at George Mason University in the U.S.

She noted that some scientists have even suggested semen quality be considered the sixth vital sign, alongside temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

Possible Causes and Future Research

While the study does not pinpoint the exact reasons behind the connection between sperm health and longevity, experts suggest environmental exposures and oxidative stress may play a role, as they impact both reproductive and overall health.

“Without knowing the exact causes of infertility and the specific cell functions affected, it is difficult to develop medical interventions or new drugs to address the problem,” said Dr. Dolores Lamb, co-director of the research learning center at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.

She added that research is ongoing to better understand the link between infertility and increased health risks in men.

As scientists continue to explore the long-term implications of semen quality, the study underscores the importance of reproductive health as a window into overall well-being, potentially shaping future healthcare practices and preventive strategies.

A new study published in The Lancet projects that by 2050, nearly 60% of adults and 31% of children and young people worldwide will be overweight or obese, marking a sharp increase from previous decades. The research highlights a growing health crisis, with experts warning of serious consequences for global well-being.

A Worsening Trend

According to the study, 3.8 billion adults and 746 million young people are expected to be overweight or obese by mid-century. This marks a significant rise from 1990 figures when 731 million adults and 198 million young people were classified as overweight or obese. The findings show that each new generation is gaining weight earlier and faster than before.

For example, in high-income countries, 7% of men born in the 1960s were obese by the age of 25, but this percentage increased to 16% for men born in the 1990s and is expected to reach 25% for those born in 2015. This trend is fueling an epidemic linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Emmanuela Gakidou, one of the study’s authors, called the obesity crisis a “monumental societal failure.”

Global Hotspots for Obesity

The study identified several countries as obesity hotspots. In 2021, over half of the world’s overweight or obese adults were concentrated in just eight countries:

• China (402 million)
• India (180 million)
• United States (172 million)
• Brazil (88 million)
• Russia (71 million)
• Mexico (58 million)
• Indonesia (52 million)
• Egypt (41 million)

Future growth in obesity rates is expected to be driven by population increases in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Among high-income nations, the United States, Chile, and Argentina are projected to have the highest obesity rates. In Europe, Greece is forecasted to have the highest levels of obesity by 2050, affecting 48% of women and 41% of men.

Impact on Healthcare Systems

As obesity rates climb, so do associated health risks. The study estimates that by 2050, one in four obese adults worldwide will be over 65, adding further strain on global healthcare systems. The effects are already being felt in countries like the U.S., Australia, and parts of Europe, where obesity-related health complications are lowering life expectancy and quality of life.

Despite these alarming trends, research suggests that only 7% of countries worldwide have healthcare systems prepared to tackle the rising obesity-related health burdens. Experts warn that without intervention, obesity will continue to drive millions of premature deaths annually from conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Rising Obesity Rates Among Young People

The research also paints a troubling picture for younger generations. While most young people in 2050 are expected to be overweight rather than obese, childhood and adolescent obesity rates are set to increase by 121%.

Obesity is expected to rise sharply in North Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as in large nations such as the U.S. and China. Among high-income nations, Chile is forecasted to have the highest childhood obesity rates, while the U.S. will lead in obesity among young adults (ages 15-24). In Europe, Greece and San Marino will have the highest rates among boys and girls, respectively.

Dr. Jessica Kerr, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that interventions are still possible, saying, “If we act now, we can prevent a complete transition to global obesity for children and adolescents.”

Calls for Policy Changes

Experts argue that addressing the crisis requires more than just medical treatments. The study measured obesity using body mass index (BMI), a widely used metric, but one that some researchers say should be replaced with more precise health indicators.

Meanwhile, new weight-loss drugs, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been hailed as potential game-changers, but experts caution that medications alone cannot stop the obesity epidemic.

Johanna Ralston, CEO of the World Obesity Federation, warned that tackling obesity requires comprehensive policy changes. Strategies such as food labeling, taxation on unhealthy foods, and better urban planning to encourage physical activity are crucial to combating the crisis.

“We can’t just treat our way out of it. We need to change the way we approach food and exercise as a society,” Ralston said.

The findings underscore the urgent need for a global, multi-pronged strategy to address the obesity epidemic before it becomes an even greater public health catastrophe.