内容摘要：Carlos Saldana, an infectious disease specialist and former medical adviser for Georgia’s health department,

Carlos Saldana, an infectious disease specialist and former medical adviser for Georgia’s health department,

“It’s really a heavy lift to look at your own soldiers and say you have to comply,” Schmitt said.One soldier told the AP his unit tried to refuse to use human shields in mid-2024 but were told they had no choice, with a high-ranking officer saying they shouldn’t worry about international humanitarian law.

The sergeant — speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal — said the troops used a 16-year-old and a 30-year-old for a few days.The boy shook constantly, he said, and both repeated “Rafah, Rafah” — Gaza’s southernmost city, where more than 1 million Palestinians had fled from fighting elsewhere at that point in the war.It seemed they were begging to be freed, the sergeant said.

Masoud Abu Saeed said he was used as a shield for two weeks in March 2024 in the southern city of Khan Younis.“This is extremely dangerous,” he recounted telling a soldier. “I have children and want to reunite with them.”

The 36-year-old said he was forced into houses, buildings and a hospital to dig up suspected tunnels and clear areas. He said he wore a first-responder vest for easy identification, carrying a phone, hammer and chain cutters.

During one operation, he bumped into his brother, used as a shield by another unit, he said.Research shows the vast majority of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Public health experts blame the United States’ high rates on a range of problems, such as inequities in getting needed health care, systemic racism, at times poor-quality medical care and a rise in chronic conditions among women of childbearing age.

But experts believe solutions abroad can be translated to the U.S. They say that’s already happening in some places.The Associated Press examined what the U.S. can learn from Europe about tackling maternal mortality. Here are key takeaways.

— which refers to the death of a woman from pregnancy or childbirth complications during or within 42 days of a pregnancy — generally has been rising in the U.S.There are proven ways to prevent maternal deaths and injuries, such as ensuring quality medical care at delivery; getting to know patients; addressing issues like addiction or poor nutrition; and providing care and support after the baby is born.