内容摘要：Emergency calls “are for situations where minutes matter and lives are at risk,” said William Lee, assistant operations director at South Western Ambulance. “Inappropriate calls tie up our emergency lines and divert valuable resources away from those in genuine need.”

Emergency calls “are for situations where minutes matter and lives are at risk,” said William Lee, assistant operations director at South Western Ambulance. “Inappropriate calls tie up our emergency lines and divert valuable resources away from those in genuine need.”

— which refers to the death of a woman from pregnancy or childbirth complications during or within 42 days of a pregnancy — generally has been rising in the U.S.There are proven ways to prevent maternal deaths and injuries, such as ensuring quality medical care at delivery; getting to know patients; addressing issues like addiction or poor nutrition; and providing care and support after the baby is born.

One of the most important things is making sure everyone can get regular prenatal checkups, which requires having enough health care providers.Consider Norway, which has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the world: zero. Through its universal health care system, people get free prenatal appointments at health centers near their homes.For every 1,000 live births, Norway has 13 OB-GYNs and 54 midwives, the

found, compared with 12 OB-GYNs and four midwives in the U.S.Regular care means problems are spotted and treated early, said Roosa Sofia Tikkanen, a doctoral candidate at the Center for Global Health Inequalities Research in Norway.

“Maternal mortality is an entirely preventable event providing you have access to basic health care,” Tikkanen said. “Not high-tech health care but basic health care.”

What happens during and after delivery also makes a difference. The national rate for cesarean sections, which are more likely than vaginal births to lead to complications, is about 16% in Norway compared to 32% in the U.S. The Scandinavian country also mandates generous paid leave, which research links to better postpartum health.“You’re the smoking cessation counselor, you’re the suicide prevention counselor,” she said. ”You know just about everything about everyone, but it’s confidential.”

A few weeks before the CVS in Herscher, Illinois, closed in early March, farmer Kip Harms picked up a muscle relaxer for a back injury. He asked the staff if he could take it with Tylenol.Harms said he’ll have other options in the rural area that’s nearly 80 miles south of Chicago, but it won’t be the same.

“You can stand here and have a conversation,” said Harms, 56, from nearby Cullom. “You go to the big giant one where there’s 40 people in line, you feel like you’re inconveniencing the person that’s helping you.”Lachandretta “LaLa” Williams reaches for a pill bottle at MAC Pharmacy in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)