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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care

Postpartum Health Care Use in Medicaid During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Implications for Extending Postpartum Coverage
Examines the impact of Medicaid continuous enrollment during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on postpartum healthcare utilization. Utilizes 2018-2023 claims data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) to analyze a pre-PHE versus PHE cohort of women. Includes healthcare utilization data with breakdowns according to age, race/ethnicity, eligibility group (Medicaid or other form), rural versus urban location, maternity care desert status, severe maternal morbidity and/or chronic health condition, postpartum month, and state.
Author(s): Amelia Whitman, Anupama Warrier, Sarah Gordon, et al.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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A Rural-Urban Analysis of Buprenorphine Therapy During and after Pregnancy among the Commercially Insured
Explores the use of evidence-based buprenorphine treatment and adherence during the peri-pregnancy period among commercially insured individuals by rurality. Analyzes data on 1,331,040 people between 15 and 44 years-old with diagnosis codes for pregnancy and labor/delivery from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019.
Author(s): KariLynn Dowling-McClay, Bill Brooks, Daniel Krauss, et al.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
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Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative
Describes accomplishments of the Health Resources and Services Administration's initiative to strengthen, expand, and accelerate work to address maternal mortality and maternal health disparities, especially in underserved areas. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Resources for Measuring Rurality in Research on Maternity Care
Explores how different measures of rurality influence research outcomes, with a focus on maternal health research. Describes multiple measures and definitions commonly employed to categorize rural populations. Discusses the implications of these definitions for research, public health interventions, and policy formulation.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Emily C. Sheffield, Mary-Jane Adole, et al.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation of a Patient Safety Bundle for Pregnancy-Related Severe Hypertension in 3 North Carolina Outpatient Clinics: A Qualitative Study
Examines the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health's Patient Safety Bundle (Bundle) implementation in North Carolina, which aims to address complications of pregnancy related hypertension. Utilizes feedback from 11 key informant interviews working at a rural outpatient Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in central North Carolina. Discusses facilitators and barriers of the Bundle implementation, with a focus on access issues in rural and underserved communities.
Author(s): Aparna G. Kachoria, Hiba Fatima, Alexandra F. Lightfoot, et al.
Citation: Implementation Science Communications, 6, 7
Date: 01/2025
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New Mexico Health Care Authority Data Book 2025
2025 data book providing dashboards on food security, health and wellness, housing, healthcare access and affordability, health insurance coverage, Medicaid eligibility, and more for the state of New Mexico. Includes county-level data on a variety of demographic, economic, and health topics.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Health Care Authority
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Maternal Mortality in Tennessee: Annual Report 2025
Findings from Tennessee's review of maternal deaths, focusing on pregnancy-related deaths from 2017-2023. Examines trends, leading causes, contributing factors, and disparities, and outlines recommendations to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and improve maternal health outcomes. Includes information on on pregnancy-related mortality rate by social drivers of health by rural or urban residence on PDF page 18.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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America's Health Rankings 2025 Health of Women and Children Report
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of the health of infants, children, and women of reproductive age. Compares rural-urban differences in mortality, severe morbidity, healthcare access, substance use, mental health conditions, and more among reproductive-age women at the national level, including a spotlight on chronic conditions among women in rural communities on document page 3. Includes maps that show concentrated disadvantage by county within each state.
Additional links: Concentrated Disadvantage by County, State Summaries
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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2025 North Carolina Rural Health Snapshot
Presents data on rural North Carolina demographics, health information, and healthcare infrastructure. Offers statistics on issues including food access, income, healthcare coverage, maternal health, behavioral health, housing, internet access, and more. Features a county-level map with shadings showing rural and urban or suburban counties.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organizations: Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, North Carolina Rural Health Association
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Partner Perspectives of Tailoring Technology-Assisted CBT Depression Treatment for Perinatal People Served by Head Start
Examines the impact of tailoring technology-assisted perinatal depression (PND) treatment to improve mental healthcare access and health outcomes for women. Analyzes qualitative feedback from partners at a rural Michigan Head Start program regarding their perceptions on the treatment content and suggestions for modifications. Discusses challenges and barriers to PND in rural communities and the need for tailored mental health support.
Author(s): Marni J. Rubyan, Addie Weaver, Rana Kanafani, et al.
Citation: Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 19(2)
Date: 2025
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