Actions needed to improve maternal health.

The health of mothers and their children is of critical importance, both as a reflection of the current health status of a large segment of the world's population and as a predictor of the health of the next generation. A range of indicators of maternal and neonatal health exist-those primarily affecting pregnant and postpartum women, and those affecting the health and survival of infants. Pregnancy outcome may be affected by toxicant exposure, maternal habits, occupational hazards, psychosocial factors, socioeconomic status, racial disparity, chronic stress, and infections. An increase in obstetric pathologies related to lifestyle, environment, aging, and diet has been seen in Western countries. Large segments of the population are obese and this factor is associated with a great number of adverse reproductive health outcomes. In other countries, the most important objective is to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases and their transmission from mother to fetus. AIDS remains the leading cause of death of children worldwide.