Is it better to use maternal mortality rate or ratio?

It is generally better to use the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) rather than the maternal mortality rate (MMrate) when analyzing maternal health outcomes. The MMR expresses the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, providing a clearer understanding of the risk associated with childbirth in a specific population. In contrast, the MMrate accounts for the total number of women of childbearing age and can be less informative for assessing maternal health risks directly related to childbirth. Therefore, the MMR is often preferred for policy-making and health interventions.