Living Longer by Achieving MDG 5: Estimating the Impact of Maternal Mortality Reduction on Reproductive Age Life Expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa

Objective We estimate increases in reproductive-age life expectancy (RALE) in select African countries over the past 20 years and the proportion of overall gains attributable to decreases in maternal mortality. Methods RALE is the average number of years that women at age 15 would be expected to live between 15 and 49 if current mortality situations prevail. Using multiple rounds of data from country-specific Demographic and Health Surveys, we calculate all-cause mortality and maternal-mortality eliminated life tables to estimate gains in RALE from the mid-1990s until present day. We will also estimate the proportion of RALE gains that arose as a result of declining maternal mortality and gains that could be garnered should maternal mortality be eliminated. Preliminary Results We estimate that gains in RALE from elimination of maternal mortality fluctuate between .15 and 1.5 years across countries. Elimination of maternal mortality makes up between 4% to 46% of potential gains in RALE if all mortality were eliminated. Conclusions Maternal mortality is a relatively rare event, yet it is still a very important component of RALE. Averting the burden of maternal deaths could return a significant increase in the most productive ages of human life.