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Maternal Hypertensive Disorders

Overview

Maternal hypertensive disorders, which are characterized by high blood pressure and possibly fluid retention and proteinuria (abnormally high protein in the urine) and include preeclampsia and eclampsia, represent a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, claiming approximately 29,000 maternal lives annually. Research has demonstrated that calcium supplementation during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of these potentially fatal conditions. Based on the evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 1.5-2 g of daily calcium supplementation for pregnant women in populations with low calcium intake as a preventive public health measure.

DALYS/100,000
DEATHS/100,000

Data Source

This visualization presents country-level estimates from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). The impact of maternal hypertensive disorders is quantified in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) or deaths per 100,000 population, providing a standardized measure of disease burden across regions.

Download the Data

Strategic Applications

This map enables identification of regions where maternal hypertensive disorders are highest and where calcium interventions would likely deliver maximum impact. The visualization can be used to conduct cost-effectiveness analyses to prioritize limited resources for calcium supplementation programs targeting pregnant women in high-burden areas, potentially saving thousands of maternal lives worldwide.

Further Reading

  • Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). GBD Compare Data Visualization. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Seattle, WA: IHME, University of Washington, 2023. Access interactive data
  • World Health Organization (WHO). WHO recommendation: Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for the prevention of pre-eclampsia and its complications. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. View guidelines
  • Hofmeyr, G. J., Lawrie, T. A., Atallah, Á. N., & Torloni, M. R. (2018). Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for preventing hypertensive disorders and related problems. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10). View article
  • Gomes, F., Ashorn, P., Askari, S., Belizan, J. M., Boy, E., Cormick, G., … & Bourassa, M. W. (2022). Calcium supplementation for the prevention of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: current evidence and programmatic considerations. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1510(1), 52-67. View article

Last updated: 8/1/25