Merck Releases New Report on “Improving Maternal Health Across Europe”

May 23, 2024 – Merck released a new report, “Improving Maternal Health Across Europe,” examining the state of maternal mortality in the region as well as solutions supported by Merck for Mothers, the company’s global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life.

While a significant decline in maternal mortality occurred in Europe between 2000 and 2020, the World Health Organization estimates that 1,000 European women still die annually due to complications of pregnancy or childbirth. Unfortunately, certain women, such as migrants, refugees and those from racial and ethnic minority groups, fare disproportionately worse before, during and after pregnancy. These inequities have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the residual strain it placed on health systems globally.

Merck for Mothers works to address challenges across maternal health – in Europe and around the world – by improving access to quality health care and family planning services with programs tailored to meet the needs of women everywhere, especially those from underserved and marginalized communities. Since 2011, Merck for Mothers has made steadfast progress reaching more than 30 million women through programs promoting safe, high-quality and respectful maternal health care.

“We are proud to collaborate with stakeholders across Europe to understand the maternal health needs of women in local communities and help increase access to safe, high-quality, equitable and respectful care,” said Louise Houson, SVP, President, Core Europe and Canada, Merck. “The projects highlighted in our new report illustrate how we work to transform maternal health care in a variety of ways, including our focus on quality standards, strengthening the health workforce and spreading life-saving information about pregnancy.”

By sharing the tangible examples included in this report, Merck aims to inspire other organizations to get involved in efforts designed to advance progress towards the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal on maternal mortality reduction. To learn more about Merck for Mothers’ holistic approach to improving maternal health, read the full report here.