Research News

Every eight minutes a woman dies somewhere in a developing country due to complications from an unsafe abortion.

Abortion carrried out by individuals lacking the necessary skills and/or in unhygienic conditions is a major global public health problem. Each year, there are an estimated 19 million unsafe abortions worldwide, most in low-income countries, and around 68,000 women die as a result, making this a major cause of maternal mortality.

These facts were taken from the August issue of id21 health focus, which was produced in collaboration with the Realising Rights Research Programme Consortium and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. This latest issue highlights the findings of a meeting (funded by the Hewlett Foundation) held at the Institute of Development Studies (UK) on 18 and 19 April 2007. The meeting reviewed recent work estimating the cost of unsafe abortion to the health sector. Participants also discussed the economic costs to health systems, individuals and households, and the links between unsafe abortion and poverty.

Topics covered in this issue include:

• The health dangers of unsafe abortion
• Unsafe abortion costs in Mexico City
• The economic impact of unsafe abortion
• Saving women's lives - calling for a giant leap in international abortion policy, and
• Reducing abortion costs to health systems

The Realising Rights consortium is a five-year programme of work funded by the UK Department for International Development. The purpose of the Realising Rights consortium is to address the factors underlying the persistent low priority given to sexual and reproductive health and rights in policy and practice. Click here for the project record on R4D.