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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care

Advancing Rural Maternal Health Equity
Summarizes the activities implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health between June 2019 and November 2021 as part of its Rural Maternal Health Initiative. Outlines next steps to address rural maternal health disparities. Includes potential solutions for rural providers and stakeholders from the Rural Obstetric Readiness Workgroup.
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Geocoding Precision of Birth Records From 2008 to 2017 in Kentucky, USA
Examines geocoding precision of birth records in Kentucky from 2008 to 2017 according to metro, non-metro, and rural location. Includes demographic information about mother and father and related discussions about rural, racial, and ethnic health disparities regarding environmental exposures during pregnancy.
Author(s): Courtney J. Walker, Steven R. Browning, Jeffrey E. Levy, W. Jay Christian
Citation: Geospatial Health, 17, 1020
Date: 05/2022
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Arizona Border Special Area (SArea) 2021 Statistical Profile
Reports statistical data from the Arizona Department of Health Services' Bureau of Women and Children's Health on the demographics, healthcare utilization, natality and infant mortality of populations in border areas in Arizona compared to the rest of the state. Includes data on health workforce to population ratios and healthcare facilities and services.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Arizona Bureau of Health Systems Development, Bureau of Women and Children's Health
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Health Policy Fact Sheet: Racial and Geographic Disparities In Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
Provides an overview of the racial and geographic healthcare disparities in Ohio related to maternal morbidity and mortality. Discusses the need for access to prenatal care, eliminating toxic stress, and utilizing evidence-based strategies to reduce maternal healthcare disparities. Includes discussions specific to rural communities as well as maternal morbidity data broken down by urban, Appalachian, suburban, and rural.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
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Access to Maternity and Obstetric Care in Rural Pennsylvania
Examines access to maternity care in rural Pennsylvania, using federal- and state-level data to determine the distribution of birthing facilities and birth attendants. Includes a workforce analysis to forecast the supply of and demand for care providers and to identify gaps where supply will not meet demand. Provides a survey of stakeholders and key informants, to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and solutions to improving access to maternity care.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Sharon Bernecki DeJoy, David J. Doorn
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy and Mortality at Delivery Hospitalization — United States, 2017–2019
Examines the prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy among delivery hospitalizations. Includes data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural (nonmetro/nonmicro) counties on prevalence of any hypertension, chronic hypertension, pregnancy-related hypertension, and unspecified maternal hypertension.
Author(s): Nicole D. Ford, Shanna Cox, Jean Y. Ko, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(17), 585–591
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Precious Moments: Tribal Home Visiting Programs Support Families During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Provides an overview of how 7 Tribal Home Visiting grantees provide support to American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) families during pregnancy and postpartum. Focuses on providing culturally competent care related to AI/AN traditions, addressing historical and personal trauma in caregiving, improving maternal health outcomes, and providing education on breastfeeding, postpartum depression, healthy diet, and more.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, Tribal Home Visiting
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Obstetrics: U.S. Rural Hospitals
Infographic presenting statistics on obstetrics care in rural community hospitals in the U.S. Includes data on the number of births in rural hospitals, rural hospitals without obstetrics units, obstetric unit closures, and the number of women of reproductive age who live in maternity care deserts.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Arizona Frontier Special Area (SArea) 2021 Statistical Profile
Identifies the frontier areas in Arizona and provides data on the demographics, natality and infant mortality, and healthcare utilization of populations in those areas compared to rural and urban areas in Arizona. Includes data on health workforce to population ratios and healthcare facilities and services.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Bureau of Health Systems Development
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2020 Alabama State Health Assessment
Reports on the health of Alabama residents, providing demographic data and comparing rural and urban areas throughout. Presents county-level data and discussion of 14 selected health indicators, including mental health and substance abuse, access to care, pregnancy outcomes, social determinants of health, and environmental health, among others.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Alabama Department of Public Health
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