Maternal Mortality in 2000:

The document opens by summarising the complexity involved in measuring maternal mortality and the reasons why such measurement is subject to uncertainty, particularly when it comes to monitoring progress. Subsequently, the rationale for the development of estimates of maternal mortality is presented along with a description of the process through which this was accomplished for the year 2000.

This is followed by an analysis and interpretation of the results, pointing out some of the pitfalls that may be encountered in attempting to use the estimates to draw conclusions about trends. The final part of the document presents a summary of the kind of information needed to build a fuller understanding of both the levels and trends in maternal mortality and the interventions needed to achieve sustained reductions in the coming few years.