While our nation is currently facing a tough economic situation, a small fraction of the federal budget goes to global health programs, and they are having a very real impact on communities and saving lives.

Globally, we are seeing a significant decline in maternal death rates -- a one third reduction since 1990. And yet we still have a long way to go. Childbirth remains the biggest killer of young women around the world.

Our goal: to create a vibrant community around the shared dream of a healthy pregnancy, a safe birth, and a baby who will survive and thrive -- basic human rights that all too often are simply out of reach for women in the developing world.

I produced the 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born to educate women about their choices in childbirth, and raise questions about maternity care in the U.S.

Worldwide, pregnancy and childbirth remain the biggest killer of women of reproductive age. What's even more scandalous and heartbreaking is that almost all of these deaths can be prevented.

Ricki Lake may be best known for her for twirling to the top on "Dancing With The Stars," or for counseling her daytime guests for more than a decade....

Christy Turlington hopes the "Every Mother Counts" CD -- and her advocacy initiative of the same name -- will bring attention to maternal health issues in the weeks leading up to Mother's Day.

Whereas in the U.S. motherhood is for most women a joyous celebration, in many developing countries it is often said that to be pregnant is to put one foot in the grave.