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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care

Is Rural Residence an Independent Risk Factor for Spontaneous Preterm Birth at a Midwestern Tertiary Care Center? A Cross-Sectional Study
Examines the correlation between rural residence and spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). Analyzes 16,974 deliveries among 13,339 women at a Midwest tertiary care center according to patient demographics, gestational age, insurance status, health status and behaviors, and rural versus urban location. Discusses rurality as a variable and potential causes for the correlation to sPTB.
Author(s): Abbie Lund, Barcey T. Levy, Yinghui Xu, David A. Bedell, Mark K. Santillan
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 07/2025
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Exploring a Food Is Medicine Pilot Program to Improve Dietary Quality among Rural Perinatal Patients
Examines the implementation of Food is Medicine (FIM) approaches in rural areas to improve food access and perinatal health outcomes. Analyzes qualitative data from 31 participants regarding FIM supports, dietary quality, self-reported health outcomes, and potential food security barriers.
Author(s): Sophia E. Allen, Taralyn Bielaski, Chelsey R. Canavan
Citation: BMC Nutrition, 11, 152
Date: 07/2025
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Tennessee State Health Plan 2025: An Update to the 2024-2026 State Health Plan
Outlines how the Tennessee Department of Health is utilizing the actions identified in the State Health Plan to promote health in Tennessee. Features sections on nutritional security, maternal and infant health, chronic conditions, older adults, transportation, cancer screenings, and workforce.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Arizona Tribal Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment
Reports on maternal and child health needs for the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population in Arizona, including health indicator and community survey data on topics such as mental health, education, nutrition, public health communication, and more. Discusses tribal health topics throughout, with additional rural-specific data presented on pages 14-19.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, American Indian Research Center for Health
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Prepublication Requirements: Obstetrical Services Requirements
Outlines new and revised Joint Commission standards and Elements of Performance (EPs) for Critical Access Hospitals to align with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs) regarding obstetric care.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Confronting the Crisis: Actions to Address Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Black Women in Rural Georgia
Discusses the issue of maternal mortality among Black women in rural Georgia. Focuses on policy, proposed solutions and strategies, and community-based collaborations that can provide improved maternal healthcare access to rural areas of Georgia.
Author(s): Jalen Robinson, Jaliyah Screen, Carey Roth Bayer
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Rural–Urban Disparities in Perinatal Smoking in the United States: Trends and Determinants
Analyzes rural versus urban disparities in perinatal smoking. Utilizes 2009-2021 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data to examine differences in smoking status according to rurality, region, demographics, social indicators, and more.
Author(s): Patricia Da Rosa, Matthias Richter
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(6), 895
Date: 06/2025
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The Impacts of Transportation and Travel Access on Rural Health in Hawai'i
Reports on transportation and travel access as barriers to healthcare in rural Hawaii, utilizing a literature review and interviews with stakeholders, and provides policy suggestions for improving access to care. Includes a detailed review of the use of telehealth for rural maternal-fetal health.
Additional links: Overview
Author(s): John Desfor, Keilyn Kawakami, Monica Ho, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Hawaiʻi Rural Health Research & Policy Center
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Linkage of Parent-Infant Health Care Claims Reveals Prenatal Care Gaps and Facilitates Congenital Heart Outcomes Study
Examines disparities in prenatal ultrasound and fetal echocardiogram utilization by demographic group, utilizing care data of infants who underwent congenital heart surgery between 2006 and 2019 in New York. Includes data on rural-urban disparities in receipt of prenatal care.
Author(s): Joyce L. Woo, Kacie L. Dragan, Sarah Crook, et al.
Citation: JACC: Advances, 4(7), 101871
Date: 06/2025
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Evaluation of the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model: Fourth Annual Report (Implementation Year 3)
Provides an overview of the Maternal Opioid Misuse Model, which provides evidence-based integrated care and care coordination for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD). Describes activities MOM Model awardees undertook during the MOM Model's second implementation year, July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024, and summarizes qualitative and beneficiary-level process data findings by state awardee. Discusses barriers pregnant and postpartum women with OUD face in accessing high-quality, continuous care, specifically in rural areas.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Westat
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