PwC has ceased operations in over a dozen countries, including nine in Sub-Saharan French-speaking Africa, following a strategic review. The decision, finalized this month after negotiations that began last year, affects countries considered too small, risky, or unprofitable by PwC's global leadership.

The African countries impacted are Ivory Coast, Gabon, Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Republic, Republic of Guinea, and Equatorial Guinea. Local partners in these regions reported losing over a third of their business in recent years after being pressured by PwC's global executives to drop risky clients, leading to litigation and mounting differences.

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The maternal mortality rate in the United States has risen by 27% from 2018 to 2022, reaching 32.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to a new NIH study. The Southeast recorded the highest rates, with Alabama at 59.7 deaths per 100,000, while California had the lowest at 18.5. Cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, and cancer were identified as leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths, which often occur up to a year postpartum.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that maternal mortality rates have decreased by 40% since 2000, with approximately 260,000 maternal deaths recorded in 2023. However, progress has slowed since 2016, raising concerns about achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

The WHO highlights that nearly 300,000 women die annually from pregnancy or childbirth complications, with one death occurring every two minutes. Sub-Saharan Africa remains disproportionately affected, where maternal mortality rates are 400 times higher than in high-income countries like Australia or New Zealand.

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PwC has ceased operations in over a dozen countries, including nine in Sub-Saharan French-speaking Africa, following a strategic review. The decision, finalized this month after negotiations that began last year, affects countries considered too small, risky, or unprofitable by PwC's global leadership.

The African countries impacted are Ivory Coast, Gabon, Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Republic, Republic of Guinea, and Equatorial Guinea. Local partners in these regions reported losing over a third of their business in recent years after being pressured by PwC's global executives to drop risky clients, leading to litigation and mounting differences.

Read more

The maternal mortality rate in the United States has risen by 27% from 2018 to 2022, reaching 32.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to a new NIH study. The Southeast recorded the highest rates, with Alabama at 59.7 deaths per 100,000, while California had the lowest at 18.5. Cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, and cancer were identified as leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths, which often occur up to a year postpartum.

Read more

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that maternal mortality rates have decreased by 40% since 2000, with approximately 260,000 maternal deaths recorded in 2023. However, progress has slowed since 2016, raising concerns about achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

The WHO highlights that nearly 300,000 women die annually from pregnancy or childbirth complications, with one death occurring every two minutes. Sub-Saharan Africa remains disproportionately affected, where maternal mortality rates are 400 times higher than in high-income countries like Australia or New Zealand.

Read more