Maternal mortality is "unacceptably high," the World Health Organization says.

Despite decreasing in recent years, a report from the WHO last week detailed the alarming statistics surrounding pregnancy-related deaths. In 2020, around 287,000 people died during and after pregnancy and childbirth. That means 800 women died every day — one every two minutes.

Of the deaths, nearly 95 percent occurred in low and lower middle-income countries. The report says that Saharan Africa alone accounted for around 70 percent of maternal deaths (202,000), while Southern Asia accounted for around 16 percent (47,000).

"Women in low-income countries have a higher lifetime risk of death of maternal death. ... The high number of maternal deaths in some areas of the world reflects inequalities in access to quality health services, and highlights the gap between rich and poor," it reads.

The deaths are caused by complications during pregnancy, such as severe bleeding, high blood pressure, infections, and in some cases, unsafe abortions.

"Most are preventable or treatable," the WHO says.

In high and upper-middle income countries, 99 percent have the presence of a trained midwife, doctor, or nurse. Only 78 percent have access in middle-low income countries, with less than 68 percent of those in low-income nations having access.

While poor healthcare services and income are large factors, the WHO also noted that "harmful gender norms and/or inequalities result in a low prioritization of the rights of women and girls," which restricts their "right to safe, quality, and affordable sexual and reproductive health services."

In the United States, one in 5,000 women die during childbirth, making it the most dangerous developed country to give birth in. The risk is even greater in rural areas, particularly among Indigenous women.

Despite its high percentage, Southern Asia was one of the regions that decreased its maternal mortality rates the most between 2000 and 2020, alongside Eastern Europe, seeing decreases of 67 percent an 70 percent, respectively.

In order to prevent maternal deaths, the organization writes that "it is vital to prevent unintended pregnancies," and that "all women, including adolescents, need access to contraception, safe abortion services to the full extent of the law, and quality post-abortion care."