Inequities in Reproductive Health

Dear Colleagues,

As recognized in the Millenium Development Goals 4 (reduce child mortality) and 5 (improve maternal health), improving the health of mothers and babies is an effective and relatively efficient way of improving the health outcomes of populations. Relatively simple and inexpensive interventions in this area can produce changes in infant and maternal mortality and morbidity over a short time frame. Currently, there are enormous disparities globally in both access to reproductive health care and in reproductive health outcomes, and this is largely divided along socioeconomic lines. For example, in my country, Australia, there is overall a very low maternal mortality rate of 7/100,000 live births, yet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women the rate is between 2 and 4 times higher. Rates are much higher again in our near neighbor countries of East Timor and Papua New Guinea (around 300/100,000) and higher again in sub-Saharan Africa (above 800/100,000).

Research in this area needs to move beyond simple descriptions of the problem, and start to work with local communities to develop, implement and test interventions aimed at reducing these disparities. There are many small-scale examples of successful initiatives; however, research translation is limited due to the lack of an integrated approach utilizing the best from public health and community development sectors. A combination of approaches involving maternal education and community development, with interventions to strengthen and develop primary health care systems is essential.

This edition of the journal welcomes articles that describe research and evaluation aimed at improving health equity in reproductive health. Manuscripts that address maternal education, community interventions, health workforce training or development, or health sector interventions from a variety of disciplines (medicine, nursing, sociology, health economics, education) are welcomed.

Dr. Sarah Larkins
Guest Editor

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