How do socioeconomic factors affect disparities in maternal mortality?

Socioeconomic factors affect nearly every cause of death, but not always in the same ways. Understanding which components of socioeconomic development were responsible for the great declines in maternal mortality in the United States and Britain can help us design effective programs in developing countries. The literature shows that maternal mortality is most strongly influenced by women's access to medical care for complications of pregnancy. In addition to international disparities in maternal mortality, there are still great disparities among racial groups in the United States. Here, too, analysis of the factors at work may be helpful in tailoring interventions.