High Maternal Mortality in Peru, and the US!

Tonight, I'll be watching online PBS Newshour Ray Suarez' report from Peru on the country's high maternal mortality rates, one of the highest in the Americas. 

Amnesty International is also on the case, having recently released a report on maternal mortality in Peru:

You'll be shocked to learn that maternal mortality is also a large problem in the States, according to Amnesty's recent report on the issue. 

"Maternal mortality ratios have increased from 6.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 13.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2006. While some of the recorded increase is due to improved data collection, the fact remains that maternal mortality ratios have risen significantly...

...The USA spends more than any other country on health care, and more on maternal health than any other type of hospital care. Despite this, women in the USA have a higher risk of dying of pregnancy-related complications than those in 40 other countries."