Rural Maternal Health – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Maternal Health.
Financial Challenges of Providing Obstetric Services at Rural US Hospitals
Presents a study on the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals operating obstetric units. Bases findings on survey data from hospital administrators detailing financial factors such as payer mix, fixed costs, and workforce, among other measures.
Author(s): C.E. Busse, K. O'Hanlon, K.B. Kozhimannil, J.D. Interrante
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70082
Date: 10/2025
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Presents a study on the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals operating obstetric units. Bases findings on survey data from hospital administrators detailing financial factors such as payer mix, fixed costs, and workforce, among other measures.
Author(s): C.E. Busse, K. O'Hanlon, K.B. Kozhimannil, J.D. Interrante
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70082
Date: 10/2025
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Rural-Urban Differences in Dietary Intake Across Pregnancy Trimesters: A Multisite Prospective Cohort Study
Examines the relationship among dietary intake during pregnancy, socioeconomic status (SES), and rural versus urban location. Analyzes screening data from 495 pregnant women with rural versus urban breakdowns according to study site; demographics; SES variables of income, education, and insurance status; and fiber intake. Discusses the impact of rurality and SES on nutrition during pregnancy.
Author(s): Alex H. Crisp, Bethany Barone Gibbs, Jacob B. Gallagher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70085
Date: 10/2025
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Examines the relationship among dietary intake during pregnancy, socioeconomic status (SES), and rural versus urban location. Analyzes screening data from 495 pregnant women with rural versus urban breakdowns according to study site; demographics; SES variables of income, education, and insurance status; and fiber intake. Discusses the impact of rurality and SES on nutrition during pregnancy.
Author(s): Alex H. Crisp, Bethany Barone Gibbs, Jacob B. Gallagher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70085
Date: 10/2025
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Boosting Maternity Care in Rural America
Provides a brief overview of the state of maternal healthcare in rural areas. Highlights state and federal actions taken to improve access to quality maternal care and improve birth outcomes.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Provides a brief overview of the state of maternal healthcare in rural areas. Highlights state and federal actions taken to improve access to quality maternal care and improve birth outcomes.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Rural Resource: Availability of Obstetric Simulation Training by State
Explores the availability of simulation training and continuing medical education (CME)/distance learning opportunities for both rural hospitals with obstetric units and those without obstetric units. Presents findings of an environmental scan of national, regional, and state-level obstetric training resources. Offers recommendations for ways State Flex Programs and Critical Access Hospitals can use this resource to identify applicable simulation trainings.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Hamdi Abas, Megan Lahr
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Explores the availability of simulation training and continuing medical education (CME)/distance learning opportunities for both rural hospitals with obstetric units and those without obstetric units. Presents findings of an environmental scan of national, regional, and state-level obstetric training resources. Offers recommendations for ways State Flex Programs and Critical Access Hospitals can use this resource to identify applicable simulation trainings.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Hamdi Abas, Megan Lahr
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Pregnancy-Care Intentions and Practice among Family Medicine Physicians: Residents, Obstetric Fellows, and Fellowship Alumni
Examines the intentions of family medicine residents, family medicine obstetrics (FMOB) fellows, and FMOB alumni related to providing pregnancy care in rural areas. Utilizes survey data from 76 respondents and provides data breakdowns on their demographics, practice characteristics, and type of pregnancy care. Discusses issues of pregnancy care access in rural areas and the associated role of FMOB professionals.
Author(s): Robert William Owens, Mimi Dahlin, Emmanuel Adediran, et al.
Citation: Family Practice, 42(5)
Date: 09/2025
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Examines the intentions of family medicine residents, family medicine obstetrics (FMOB) fellows, and FMOB alumni related to providing pregnancy care in rural areas. Utilizes survey data from 76 respondents and provides data breakdowns on their demographics, practice characteristics, and type of pregnancy care. Discusses issues of pregnancy care access in rural areas and the associated role of FMOB professionals.
Author(s): Robert William Owens, Mimi Dahlin, Emmanuel Adediran, et al.
Citation: Family Practice, 42(5)
Date: 09/2025
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Rural/Urban Differences in Health, Health Care Use, and Barriers to Care for Postpartum and Parenting Women, 2006-2018
Presents a study on rural and urban differences in access to and utilization of healthcare for postpartum or parenting women. Highlights barriers women parents face in accessing care and utilizing care that is available. Breaks down data by age of child, barriers to care, rural versus urban location, and compares rates for postpartum and parenting women to all women aged 18-49 by rurality.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Clara E. Busse, Alyssa Fritz, et al.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Presents a study on rural and urban differences in access to and utilization of healthcare for postpartum or parenting women. Highlights barriers women parents face in accessing care and utilizing care that is available. Breaks down data by age of child, barriers to care, rural versus urban location, and compares rates for postpartum and parenting women to all women aged 18-49 by rurality.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Clara E. Busse, Alyssa Fritz, et al.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Rural–Urban Differences in Health Care Access for Postpartum Parent and Infant Dyads
Details a study on differences in perinatal health among postpartum parents and infants in rural and urban areas. Bases findings on National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data and breaks down data by demographic characteristics, perceived barriers, and perceived health along rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Sara C. Handley, Julia D. Interrante, Emily F. Gregory, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70062
Date: 08/2025
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Details a study on differences in perinatal health among postpartum parents and infants in rural and urban areas. Bases findings on National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data and breaks down data by demographic characteristics, perceived barriers, and perceived health along rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Sara C. Handley, Julia D. Interrante, Emily F. Gregory, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70062
Date: 08/2025
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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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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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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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The Geographic Distribution of Family Physicians Providing Maternity Care and Opportunities for Expanding Access to Care in Rural Areas
Examines family physicians (FPs) who provide maternity care and their geographic distribution in the United States. Analyzes maternity care across 325 counties, observing counties where FPs are the only maternity care providers, counties where there are no maternity care providers, and counties with or without hospital obstetric services. Includes discussion on maternity healthcare access disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Michael Topmiller, Grace Walter, Anuradha Jetty, et al.
Citation: The Annals of Family Medicine, 23(4), 302-307
Date: 07/2025
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Examines family physicians (FPs) who provide maternity care and their geographic distribution in the United States. Analyzes maternity care across 325 counties, observing counties where FPs are the only maternity care providers, counties where there are no maternity care providers, and counties with or without hospital obstetric services. Includes discussion on maternity healthcare access disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Michael Topmiller, Grace Walter, Anuradha Jetty, et al.
Citation: The Annals of Family Medicine, 23(4), 302-307
Date: 07/2025
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Last Updated: 10/21/2025