Saloni Dattani

Saloni Dattani, a researcher at Our World in Data, joins Tim Harford to uncover how a simple tick box on death certificates led to a doubling of US maternal mortality rates. The podcast explores the impact of changes in data collection methods, discrepancies in maternal mortality data due to checkbox usage, and the implications of counting all deaths with the checkbox ticked as maternal deaths.

Saloni Dattani, a researcher at Our World in Data and founder of Works in Progress, discusses the history of malaria eradication efforts, delays in developing a malaria vaccine, the rollout of the RTS,S vaccine, the issue of missing global health data, and the uncounted deaths from snakebites in India. They also talk about new funding models for life-saving research like vaccines for TB and HIV.

Saloni Dattani, a researcher at Our World in Data, dives into the alarming rise in maternal mortality rates in the U.S. She reveals that this spike might stem from measurement changes rather than a true increase in deaths. The discussion unpacks how historical data classifications and pandemic influences shaped current statistics. Saloni emphasizes the importance of accurate data interpretation and effective communication to address misconceptions, stressing the need for transparency in public health narratives.