U.S. Maternal Mortality Rises

Maternal mortality is a global crisis, reaching even the United States.  A study published last month in the medical journal The Lancet estimated that 293,000 women around the world died of pregnancy or childbirth-related causes in 2013.  The study also found that the American maternal mortality rate has gone up in the past decade, placing it with seven other countries showing an increase: Afghanistan, Belize, El Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Greece, Seychelles and South Sudan.
Almost 800 moms-to-be in the United States perished in 2013 from maternal health problems, or about 18 women for every 100,000 births.  That rate is double that of Canada and more than triple that of the U.K.  Half of worldwide maternal deaths occurred 24 hours or more after childbirth or during the following year, and the study found that 55 percent of American maternal deaths happened during this delayed postpartum timeframe.
The specific causes of maternal death differ between American women and their counterparts in developing countries.  The report found that fatal pregnancy and birth-related complications seen in other parts of the world- obstructed labor, hemorrhage, infection, and abortion-related issues- are becoming less common in the U.S.  But more American moms-to-be are experiencing high-risk pregnancies due to preexisting health problems like diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems and obesity or because of increased maternal age.  Data also showed that combined maternal deaths from anesthesia complications, embolism and heart failure have increased in the United States.
We can see from these findings that though some factors differ by our geography, women throughout the world are united by this common threat.  But together we can be united in finding solutions.  Join us in the fight by visiting the Get Involved section of wwhi.org.

Hepatitis B: A Hidden Threat in Senegal

Women and their children in Senegal are facing a growing threat of hepatitis B infection, which can lead to liver cancer and sometimes death.  A recent news report states that over two million Senegalese have the disease, and most don't even know they are infected.  Ninety percent of cases are asymptomatic, and the country doesn't have universal screening, even though 350,000 people in Senegal are chronic carriers.

Hepatitis B can pass from mom to baby during birth, so pregnant women in more developed countries are screened for the disease and infants are vaccinated within 12-24 hours of birth to prevent infection.  The World Health Organization says all infants should be vaccinated by 24 hours old, but most Senegalese babies aren't until at least six weeks, because they were not born in a hospital where the vaccine was on hand.  To make things even more difficult, birth-doses of the vaccine aren't usually covered by international health organizations.

The danger is significant.  WHO states that hepatitis B kills around 600,000 people every year and causes the majority of liver cancers.  Even if the disease is not transmitted during birth, an unvaccinated child is still vulnerable to contracting it at home from contact with an infected caregiver or close relative. Screening and prevention are necessary as those infected as infants or young children are more likely to become chronically ill.

WWHI equips Community Healthcare Workers in Senegal to provide better care to women and their children at the local level.  Rather than having to walk for miles to the nearest clinic, pregnant women can be monitored and educated in their own villages, so threats like hepatitis B can be prevented, and if necessary identified and treated.  Check out the Get Involved section of our site to find out how you can help in this vital mission.

Dear WWHI Supporters,

Below you will find the results of an economic survey completed in Utah surveying the non-profit sector. The outcomes were grim. This information is important to us, as we are part of this community but I post this with hopes to be one of the organizations that does not see the effects of the economic tightening. We are an innovative, hardworking group that is willing to work and investigate unprecedented areas to find funds which will ultimately aid suffering women and children.

I know already, there have been great ideas. The message and focus of WWHI is a strong, convincing message. I am proud of all our supporters' and volunteers' efforts. Let's continue...and ultimately be the anomaly!

Sincerely,

Dana Allison
Executive Director
Women's World Health Initiative

LATEST FINANCIAL STUDY PREDICTS A LOOMING CRISIS FOR MANY UTAH NONPROFITS

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, October 6, 2010 —For the past two years the Community Foundation of Utah and
Wells Fargo have been surveying state’s charities to see how the nonprofit sector was faring during the
recession. The studies have tracked the impact of a perfect storm – decreases in giving and more demand
from individuals and families in need. 178 nonprofits responded to the survey.

The foundation’s latest study covers the first nine months of 2010 and reveals that as many as a third of
the state’s nonprofit organizations are in danger of closing their doors. Why? A continued decline in
donations, limited if any reserve funds, and a continued increase in demand for assistance.Nearly three years of a down economy have taken a profound toll on Utah’s nonprofits. The continued
declines in giving have depleted operating reserve capital, meaning that too many nonprofits are, like
their clients, living month to month. Donations from corporations, foundations, government contracts
and individuals continued to erode in 2010.

• 64% of the agencies have seen donations decrease since the start of 2010.
• 75% of health and human service agencies say donations have decreased since the beginning of
  the year perhaps, pointing to donor fatigue as the recession wears on.
• 14% of these agencies have no money in the bank. Anecdotal evidence from foundations has
  confirmed an uptick in ‘pay day loans’ to help agencies make payroll. Other foundations report
  that they have been asked by their long term partners to push an expected annual gift forward,
  or to make an additional emergency gift.
• 58% have enough money on hand to keep their doors open 3 months or less.

The need for assistance has not decreased.

• 78% of all reporting agencies and 92% of health and human service providers say that the
  demand for their services and programs rose again in 2010.
• 68% of rural organizations say “The people we serve continue to suffer the impact of the
  recession”

Given that funds continue to decline and need continues to increase, the stress on nonprofit leadership,
including staff, executive directors and their boards is considerable. This survey found evidence of the
results of three years of unrelenting pressures, including staff and board burn out. However, Utah’s
nonprofit leaders share a deep passion for their causes and their organizations. Pockets of
encouragement exist in all sectors.

• 69% of the agencies have added new donors since the start of the recession.
• 65% have started or enhanced a new media strategy, using the web to reach new audiences.
• Arts organizations report a steady increase in ticket sales each of the past three years. This may
  reflect great efforts to increase awareness of the vital importance these cultural institutions play in
  our community as well as increased marketing efforts.

The Community Foundation of Utah is working to bring new resources to nonprofits by ‘engaging the
giving minds’ of Utah’s entrepreneurs. The need for innovation is now, and the results can, as this
Executive Director wrote, ensure a bright future for the organizations that make Utah a wonderful place
to grow businesses, families and community. “What's amazing is that the lack of financial resources has forced us to re-evaluate everything we're
doing and refine our programs and plans and finances. Because of the recession, our organization is
100 times better and our programs are going to be FAR more efficient. We've learned that money
isn't necessarily our biggest bottleneck, and have learned to work around it. I've never been so
optimistic about our future.”