Abortion and Maternal Mortality Ratio

Abstract

The objective of the study was to answer the question whether the restrictiveness of abortion law affects maternal mortality. Maternal mortality ratio in countries around the world is very diverse, this diversity coincides with the cultural and geographical diversity. To improve (reduce) maternal mortality ratio, raising the overall standard of living in a country is much more important than health expenditures. Increasing access to abortion cannot be considered as a mean to reduce maternal mortality. The use of statistical indicators not embedded in the qualitative knowledge of the cultural and economic context of a given region, without the support of medical research, has little methodological value and should not be the basis for international agencies to shape models according to which countries construct their law.