Risk Factors for Loss of Hospital-Based Obstetric Care in Rural and Urban Hospitals

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Examines factors associated with loss of obstetric services in hospitals. Analyzes 3,108 rural and urban hospitals in 2010 and then again in 2023 to observe rates of unit or hospital closure. Includes breakdown of hospital characteristics such as distance to nearest obstetric hospital, birth volume, hospital ownership, county unemployment, and more.

Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Kevan O'Hanlon, Emily C. Sheffield, Katy B. Kozhimannil

JAMA Health Forum, 7(9), e263122

09/2026

Access · Closures of healthcare facilities and services · Hospitals · Maternal health and prenatal care · Rural-urban differences · Statistics and data