Maternal Health Task Force
The Maternal Health Task Force strives to create a strong, well-informed and collaborative community of individuals focused on ending preventable maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide.
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Blog
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15 New Jobs in Maternal Health!
We value our MHTF community and to express our thanks, we’re always looking for ways to keep you engaged and moving forward in your career. Check out these 15 new positions in this week’s jobs post. Hopefully you’ll find something to make your next move a game changer… read more
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The Myth of the Meager Maternal Health Market
When I first entered this line of work, I often heard one thing: the maternal health market is way too small to be sustainable, much less lucrative. Naturally, one can only expect market failure for maternal health drugs and, by extension, a chronic situation of limited access to lifesaving medicines among those most in need. However, I disagree…. read more
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Brand New Size at Birth Standards Will Improve Neonatal Health
Newborn size at birth standards are now available from the INTERGROWTH-21st project. This package includes size charts, standards and z-scores for newborn length, weight and head circumference at birth for boys and girls. The newborn size at birth standards are currently in use at Oxford. In addition, these standards are being introduced and piloted at INTERGROWTH-21st study sites and medical centers in the Boston area. We encourage all clinicians to use these standards worldwide… read more
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Wilson Center Event: Integrating Mental Health Into Maternal Health Programs
In order to address one of the most common health problems in pregnancy, mental health, we’re excited to announce an upcoming policy dialogue, Integrating Mental Health into Maternal Health Programs, on Thursday, April 9th at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. RSVP to attend in person or watch the life webcast online… read more
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Changing Incentives: Creating a Market for High Quality Oxytocin
Oxytocin is the first-line drug for the prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and is widely available in developing countries. There is a large market for oxytocin and there are many manufacturers of the drug; however there are growing concerns that products are not in good condition when they are injected, either because of poor manufacturing or degradation along the supply chain… read more
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Call for Abstracts Now Open for the Global Maternal Newborn Health Conference!
The Global Maternal Newborn Health Conference organizers are pleased to announce that the abstract submission period is now open! Abstracts may be submitted for five different types of presentations and should address topics within at least one of the six conference tracks… read more
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Improving Access to Maternal Health Commodities Through a Systems Approach: Where Are We Now?
Nearly three years ago, I blogged about a systems approach to improving access for a Maternal Health Task Force (MHTF) series on maternal health commodities. It was an exciting year for maternal health. The UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children (UNCoLSC) had just released its report with 10 recommendations for improving access to 13 priority commodities that included 3 for maternal health: oxytocin, misoprostol and magnesium sulfate. Since then, great progress has been made in identifying the bottlenecks to access, raising awareness of the complexity of addressing these challenges and increasing global commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths as part of the post-2015 development agenda… read more
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Upcoming Event: South Asia Consultation on Maternal Health: Regional Dialogue and Way Forward
Despite decreased maternal mortality during the last decade, the maternal health crisis in South Asia is far from over. Poor access to health care for women in more traditional societies, low age at marriage, gender-based violence, lack of abortion services, unmet need for family planning, poor quality of care, large uninsured populations, maternal morbidity, and other issues continue to linger. To address these disparities and needs moving forward, we’re excited to announce a policy dialogue on maternal health priorities for South Asia on Tuesday, March 31st. This dialogue is part of our partnership with the Wilson Center, which was recently voted the #1 think tank in the United States and in the top ten think tanks in the world. To learn more details about how to participate in the event… read more
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Making Connections: Ensuring Access to Reproductive and Maternal Health Supplies
The past ten years have witnessed impressive gains in the availability and use of reproductive health supplies like condoms and oral contraceptives that allow men and women to safely and effectively prevent or space pregnancies. As a result of concerted efforts by many partners, contraceptive prevalence rates have risen over 60% in countries around the world. These dramatic successes in improving access to reproductive health supplies can shed important lessons and guidance for those working to ensure that life-saving maternal health medicines — including, oxytocin, misoprostol and magnesium sulfate — are available to all women, when they need them and wherever they give birth. These medicines, which can save lives by preventing or treating the leading causes of maternal death, remain out of reach for many women, particularly for poor, rural, indigenous and other vulnerable women. Many countries lack clear, supportive policies and adequate budgets to make essential maternal health medicines widely available, or have weak supply chains and logistical systems. Inadequate regulatory capacity, poor quality of medicines and lack of information and guidance on correct use are other barriers to access. But new tools can help change this… read more
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Get a Job in Maternal Health!
Check out these opportunities to build your career on maternal health! Research Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Officer/Advisor Programs Related Topics Last Updated Get the…