The global health community has worked for years to lower rates of maternal and child mortality in low- and middle-income countries. But while the world focuses on the number of deaths from COVID-19, estimates of indirect mortality due to disruptions in health systems cannot be ignored.

Tim Roberton, an assistant scientist in International Health, talks with guest host Sara Bennett, a professor in International Health, about a paper he co-authored that estimates there could be a 45% increase in child mortality and a 38% increase in maternal mortality in severe scenarios where care is disrupted due to COVID-19. One way to head off these numbers is to categorize care by prioritizing only emergency care that cannot be delivered in any other way.