While the global maternal mortality rate is decreasing, the rate in the U.S. is on the rise.

The United States is ranked 60th in the world according to a study performed by the University of Washington, giving us the lowest score when it comes to maternal mortality rates among all the developed nations.

Many of these deaths can be prevented, and that's what makes it a human rights issue.

Currently this country's rate stands at 18.5 deaths per 100,000 births. This rate is almost triple the mortality rate in the U.K. according to Cosmopolitan. Although deaths from hemorrhages, abortions, and sepsis have decreased, deaths caused from preexisting health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and kidney problems have risen in recent months.

"Many of these deaths can be prevented, and that's what makes it a human rights issue. We're not waiting for a medical breakthrough — what we're waiting for here is the political will to save these women's lives," said Rachel Ward, author of the 2011 report titled, Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA. These deaths can be prevented and have nothing to do with the lack of technology but are being caused by simple lack of oversight from the physicians.

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