This book is one of the first results in the field of research projects performed at Cátedras Conacyt y el CIESAS. Retrieves the investigations carried out in the CIESAS during the past 20 years on maternal health. Leads a critical balance of the current state in this area and of public policies established to address it. It also illustrates the contributions of medical anthropology towards an understanding of issues and implementation of actions that contribute to their resolution in multicultural contexts.