Rural Health
News by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care
Oct 23, 2025 - Highlights a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in rural Minnesota successfully offering labor and delivery services in spite of nationwide department closures. Describes the challenges with offering this service in rural communities and factors contributing to this CAH's success including participating in a network and cross-training staff. Includes a state map of maternity care deserts at the county level.
Source: MPR News
Oct 7, 2025 - Describes a community baby shower event in a rural Missouri county. The event connects mothers with local healthcare, conducts car seat checks, promotes social connectedness, and highlights support services in the community.
Source: KY3
Oct 6, 2025 - Discusses the benefits and downsides for hospitals considering converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital, highlighting the choices made by rural hospitals around Arkansas. Discusses reimbursement rates, labor and delivery service access, and general healthcare access.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Oct 6, 2025 - Announces a new rural obstetric and gynecology fellowship in North Carolina. The goal is to increase access to maternal healthcare in areas identified as maternity care deserts.
Source: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill News
Sep 29, 2025 - Describes a long-term research study investigating brain development in children with exposure to opioids and other substances. The study aims to understand potential treatment options for opioid use-disorder. Discusses recruiting rural families including barriers and facilitators to participation.
Source: Cardinal News
Sep 18, 2025 - Describes emergency maternity training for staff in a rural Arizona hospital without a labor unit. Highlights increasing maternal mortality rates in the state.
Source: KOLD
Sep 17, 2025 - Highlights maternal healthcare access challenges in rural Ohio including patient volume and facility closures. Discusses potential solutions including telehealth and mobile clinics.
Source: The Post