Shortly before "maternal health" was chosen as the 2007-08 BlogHers Act issue, an August 24th AP article, "Experts: U.S. Childbirth Deaths on Rise," reported that in 2004, U.S. maternal mortality rates rose to 13 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2004, from 12 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005. Possible factors for the increase include higher numbers of C-sections, obesity, and older mothers in their late 30s and 40s.

What was particularly disturbing was that the, "maternal death rate in black women is at least three times greater than it is for whites. Black women are more susceptible to complications like high blood pressure and are more likely to get inadequate prenatal care."

In Awe Inspiring: African American Women Evolving, Andrea Lynch sites two nonprofits working for reproductive justice for women of color: Sistersong and African American Women Evolving. Loretta Ross, a Founder of SisterSong and its National Coordinator, was the Co-Director of the 2004 March for Women's Lives. She's a super compelling speaker, who I've seen before. You can see a video interview with her here.

On Daily Kos, McCamy Taylor writes that the AP article fails to address the elephant in the room:

"The Associated Press piece could have been written by the health insurance industry. It is carefully crafted to avoid the real issue, which is that more people lack health insurance and health care since George W. Bush took office. This has lead to a decline in several indicators of public health, such as infant mortality and now maternal mortality."

Maternal health issues can't be addressed without addressing the issue of poverty and access to healthcare. They are intertwined.

As a 2005 BBC News article, "Women's Health Fueling Poverty" reports, improving women's health, improves the economy of her community:

"The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says 99% of maternal deaths are preventable yet every minute a woman dies from pregnancy-related causes.

This loss impacts not only on the family and society, but also on the economy, its latest report says.

UNFPA says investment in reproductive health and gender equality could spur growth and sustainable development."

One of the eight UN's Millennium Development Goals is to reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio by 2015. According to the site:

• More than half a million women die in pregnancy and childbirth every year - that's one death every minute. Of these deaths, 99 per cent are in developing countries. In parts of Africa, maternal mortality rates are 1 in 16. (Source:UNFPA)
• Only 28 in 100 women giving birth are attended by trained health personnel in the least developed countries.(Source:ActionAid)

BlogHers Act is working on a plan to mobilize bloghers around maternal health issues. In the meantime, if you want to take action and learn more today, the Millenium Campaign's site has links to more information and to organizations working on maternal health issues.

Photo Credit: Seja bem vindo Helio! Welcome Helio! by Fabiola Medeiros

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Britt Bravo, also blogs at Have Fun * Do Good, and NetSquared