State of Inequality: Reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health

This report examines the state of inequality in health in 86 low- and middle-income countries around the world.  The report is produced by the World Health Organization, in partnership with International Center for Equity in Health.  The report presents the current status of inequality and changes over time for 23 reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) indicators.  These indicators are analysed against 4 dimensions of inequality (economic status, education, place of residence, and sex). Latest situation of inequality

• Inequalities were present for most RMNCH indicators across countries and within countries
• Skilled attendance at birth was the maternal health indicator with the largest inequality between the richest and poorest, the most and least educated, and urban and rural areas
• In half of countries, antenatal care coverage (at least four visits) was 25% higher in the most educated or richest, compared to the least educated or poorest
• In nearly half of countries, the use of modern contraception was at least twice as high among women with secondary schooling  or higher than among women with no education
• Nigeria and Ethiopia were among the countries with the highest levels of within-country economic-related inequality in RMNCH coverage
• Sierra Leone was among the countries with most equal RMNCH coverage, regardless of economic status 

Change in inequality over time

• Over the past decade, many areas of RMNCAH have improved at the national level across countries
• Many countries reported faster gains in disadvantaged groups than in advantaged groups.  For example, the under-five death rate decreased more rapidly in the poorest than in the richest subgroup in the past decade
• Over the past 10 years, there was a substantial reduction of education-related inequalityin demand for family planning satisfied
• Of all the study countries, the largest rural improvement for national levels of care-seeking for children with pneumonia symptoms was in Malawi 

Although health inequalities have improved over the past decade, the report notes that there is still much progress to be made in reducing inequalities in RMNCH. To read the full report, click here.  A variety of interactive data components – including visuals, maps, and reference tables- are also available.  World Health Organization. (2015). State of Inequality: Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Geneva: WHO.