Trends in Absolute and Relative Inequalities in Maternal Mortality Ratio in 179 countries

The assessment of how different countries moving and converging in terms of average health and health inequalities is crucial for understanding the challenges of future health policy. As progress in average health in necessary but could not be the sufficient condition of progress in health inequality. The principal objective of this study is to assess the trend in absolute and relative inequality against the progress in reduction of average maternal mortality ratio in 179 countries. The result of study foster some important insights about progress in maternal mortality: First, the progress or decline in average maternal mortality ratio not necessarily will lead to decline in inequalities in maternal mortality ratio. Second, the decline in absolute dispersion in maternal mortality ratio will ratio not necessarily will lead to decline in relative inequalities in maternal mortality ratio. Therefore, policies aiming to reduce maternal mortality should aim at reducing both absolute and relative inequalities. Therefore, efficacy with equity should be a principle for convergence in progress in maternal health in world countries.