Rural Health
News by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care
Jun 2, 2023 - Describes the impact of a mobile integrated health program in an Indiana community. The program recently hired a registered nurse with an obstetrics background to fill a gap in maternal and infant healthcare after the local labor and delivery unit closed. Discusses lack of consistent funding as a challenge to sustainability.
Source: Indiana Capital Chronicle
May 22, 2023 - Describes challenges faced by women seeking maternity care in rural South Carolina counties. Infant death rates in South Carolina are higher than the national average, and a report published by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control shows the rate for non-Hispanic Black babies is growing worse. The death rate among infants born to Black mothers in the state increased by nearly 40% from 2017 to 2021.
Source: KFF Health News
May 19, 2023 - The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded over $65 million in funds to implement innovative approaches to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities for patients at highest risk. This will help ensure healthier pregnancy and postpartum outcomes and address health disparities among women of color and women in rural and medically underserved areas.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
May 16, 2023 - Highlights changes and challenges in rural health care access, including hospital closures, transportation issues, lack of obstetric services and mental health services, poor outcomes among Black or Native American populations, and lack of services for veterans.
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office
May 15, 2023 - Describes the lack of maternity care services in Vinton County, the least populated county in Ohio. The only available medical care in Vinton County is a Federally Qualified Health Center, and the drive to hospitals in neighboring counties is at least 30 minutes long.
Source: Akron Beacon Journal
May 15, 2023 - Highlights a Federal Office of Rural Health Policy-funded Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) program located in Clayton, New Mexico. The RMOMS program was created to increase access to maternal healthcare in rural communities through the use of telehealth and the creation of networks of hospitals and clinics.
Source: KFF Health News
May 12, 2023 - Since its launch on Mother's Day 2022, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline's professional counselors have provided emotional support, resources, and referrals to almost 12,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggled with mental health concerns, and their loved ones.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HRSA: Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (Formerly the Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality)
Federal Register
May 11, 2023 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) on June 13-14, 2023. Agenda items are being finalized but may include an update on recommendations to improve birth outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native mothers and infants; further discussions to determine new and continuing priority areas for the Committee, including data and information related to social determinants of health and infant health equity; federal updates; and Committee operations. The webinar link and log-in information will be available at the ACIMM website before the meeting. Requests for public comment should be sent via email to SACIM@hrsa.gov.
Source: Federal Register
May 2, 2023 - Highlights programs by rural hospitals to address rural maternal health. Initiatives include prenatal curriculum to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes and telehealth for both neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients and women seeking prenatal care.
Source: American Hospital Association
Apr 27, 2023 - Summarizes a study finding poor health outcomes for rural Ohio women before and between pregnancies when compared to the women of Ohio overall. 98% of the rural women surveyed had at least one high-priority risk factor increasing the odds of health risks and poor outcomes during pregnancy. Recommends data collection methods for future research that better account for the health status of rural women.
Source: Regenstrief Institute
Apr 21, 2023 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is seeking nominations for 5 non-voting liaison representatives to serve on the subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for Women's Services (ACWS) focused on maternal mental health. SAMHSA will give close attention to equitable geographic distribution of members and give priority to non-profit organizations that operate within the United States and have membership with demonstrated expertise in maternal mental health and related research, clinical services, or advocacy and outreach on issues concerning maternal mental health. Nominations are due May 31, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 7, 2023 - According to a report by the healthcare consulting firm Chartis, 217 hospitals in the United States have closed their labor and delivery departments since 2011. Bonner General Health, in rural Idaho, announced that it would suspend its labor and delivery services in May.
Source: CNN Health
Apr 4, 2023 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is seeking nominations for 5 non-voting liaison representatives to serve on the subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for Women's Services (ACWS) focused on maternal mental health. SAMHSA will give close attention to equitable geographic distribution of members and give priority to non-profit organizations that operate within the United States and have membership with demonstrated expertise in maternal mental health and related research, clinical services, or advocacy and outreach on issues concerning maternal mental health. Nominations are due April 10, 2023.
Source: Federal Register