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Reproductive Health
Published in: Reproductive Health 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Commentary

Measuring abortion-related mortality: challenges and opportunities

Authors: Caitlin Gerdts, Ozge Tunçalp, Heidi Johnston, Bela Ganatra

Published in: Reproductive Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Two recent efforts to quantify the causes of maternal deaths on a global scale generated divergent estimates of abortion-related mortality. Such discrepancies in estimates of abortion-related mortality present an important opportunity to explore unique challenges and opportunities associated with the generation and interpretation of abortion-related mortality estimates. While innovations in primary data collection and estimation methodologies are much needed, at the very least, studies that seek to measure maternal deaths due to abortion should endeavor to improve transparency, acknowledge limitations of data, and contextualize results. As we move towards sustainable development goals beyond 2015, the need for valid and reliable estimates of abortion-related mortality has never been more pressing. The post-MDG development agenda that aims to improve global health, reduce health inequities, and increase accountability, requires new and novel approaches be tested to improve measurement and estimation of abortion-related mortality, as well as incidence, safety and morbidity.
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Metadata
Title
Measuring abortion-related mortality: challenges and opportunities
Authors
Caitlin Gerdts
Ozge Tunçalp
Heidi Johnston
Bela Ganatra
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Health / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4755
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-015-0064-1

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