Report: Maternal care access worsening nationwide due to hospital closures, decreases in obstetric services

More than 5.5 million women live in counties with no or limited access to maternity care services, due to recent hospital closures and obstetric service reductions, according to a report released Sept. 10 by the March of Dimes. More than one-third of counties are now classified as maternity care deserts, and the report found that over half of all counties do not have a hospital that provides obstetric care other than on an emergency basis. These results are consistent with other national estimates of rural obstetric care, including a 2022 GAO report.

The AHA has highlighted the challenge of providing obstetric services in rural areas and provides members with resources to improve maternal and child health through the Better Health for Mothers and Babies initiative.