Rural Maternal Health – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Maternal Health.
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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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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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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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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Obstetric Care Access at Rural and Urban Hospitals in the United States
Offers data showing losses and gains of obstetric care for 4,964 short-term acute care hospitals between 2010 and 2022. Offers comparisons of rural and urban hospitals.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, et al.
Date: 12/2024
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Offers data showing losses and gains of obstetric care for 4,964 short-term acute care hospitals between 2010 and 2022. Offers comparisons of rural and urban hospitals.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, et al.
Date: 12/2024
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Morbidity and Mortality Related to Intimate Partner Violence in the Perinatal Period
Policy brief discussing intimate partner violence (IPV) during the perinatal period, including IPV and IPV screening disparities in rural areas. Offers policy recommendations to address IPV experienced by perinatal people living in rural areas, focusing on prevention, screening, and resources for survivors.
Author(s): Susie Gurzenda, Casey P. Balio, Megan Weis
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy brief discussing intimate partner violence (IPV) during the perinatal period, including IPV and IPV screening disparities in rural areas. Offers policy recommendations to address IPV experienced by perinatal people living in rural areas, focusing on prevention, screening, and resources for survivors.
Author(s): Susie Gurzenda, Casey P. Balio, Megan Weis
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Unveiling Socioeconomic Disparities in Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Analysis of Rural and Appalachian Areas in Virginia Utilizing the Multi-Dimensional YOST Index
Examines associations of rurality, Appalachian dwelling, county socioeconomic status (SES), and other demographic factors with smoking behaviors during pregnancy. Utilizes 2009-2020 Virginia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data.
Author(s): Asal Pilehvari, Ashley Chipoletti, Rebecca Krukowski, Melissa Little
Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24, 828
Date: 12/2024
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Examines associations of rurality, Appalachian dwelling, county socioeconomic status (SES), and other demographic factors with smoking behaviors during pregnancy. Utilizes 2009-2020 Virginia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data.
Author(s): Asal Pilehvari, Ashley Chipoletti, Rebecca Krukowski, Melissa Little
Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24, 828
Date: 12/2024
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Racial and Ethnic and Rural Variations in the Use of Hybrid Prenatal Care in the US
Examines how factors of demographics, location, and telehealth restriction waivers during COVID-19 impact the uptake of hybrid prenatal care. Provides demographic breakdowns related to telehealth use of women during pregnancy and the COVID-19 public health emergency, with additional data on health conditions, U.S. region, and urban or rural residence.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Jiani Yu, Sayward E. Harrison, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(12)
Date: 12/2024
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Examines how factors of demographics, location, and telehealth restriction waivers during COVID-19 impact the uptake of hybrid prenatal care. Provides demographic breakdowns related to telehealth use of women during pregnancy and the COVID-19 public health emergency, with additional data on health conditions, U.S. region, and urban or rural residence.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Jiani Yu, Sayward E. Harrison, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(12)
Date: 12/2024
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National Rural Health Day Episode: Addressing Rural Maternal Health Disparities, with Kristen Dillon
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kristen Dillon, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the Federal Office for Rural Health Policy. Provides an overview of the current state of rural maternal health, including access barriers and disparities in health outcomes, as well as exploring the ways that the Health Resources and Services Administration is working to improve outcomes for rural mothers.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kristen Dillon, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the Federal Office for Rural Health Policy. Provides an overview of the current state of rural maternal health, including access barriers and disparities in health outcomes, as well as exploring the ways that the Health Resources and Services Administration is working to improve outcomes for rural mothers.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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CY 2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule (CMS 1809-FC)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2025. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and partial hospital program rate setting; incorporating an add-on payment to the Medicare outpatient hospital all-inclusive rate (AIR) for certain high-cost drugs for people with Medicare who receive care at Indian Health Service (IHS) or tribal hospitals; updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR), and Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Programs; a new Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services; Medicaid and CHIP continuous eligibility; Medicaid clinic services "four walls" exceptions; and more.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2025. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and partial hospital program rate setting; incorporating an add-on payment to the Medicare outpatient hospital all-inclusive rate (AIR) for certain high-cost drugs for people with Medicare who receive care at Indian Health Service (IHS) or tribal hospitals; updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR), and Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Programs; a new Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services; Medicaid and CHIP continuous eligibility; Medicaid clinic services "four walls" exceptions; and more.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The Availability of Midwifery Care in Rural United States Communities
Describes the availability of midwifery care at rural hospitals in 2021. Presents results of a survey of 292 rural hospitals with current or recently closed childbirth services. Details whether rural hospitals with current or prior childbirth services had midwifery care with certified nurse-midwives available locally. Compares rural communities with and without midwifery care by hospital-level and county-level characteristics.
Author(s): Emily C. Sheffield, Alyssa H. Fritz, Julia D. Interrante, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Citation: Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 69(6), 929-936
Date: 11/2024
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Describes the availability of midwifery care at rural hospitals in 2021. Presents results of a survey of 292 rural hospitals with current or recently closed childbirth services. Details whether rural hospitals with current or prior childbirth services had midwifery care with certified nurse-midwives available locally. Compares rural communities with and without midwifery care by hospital-level and county-level characteristics.
Author(s): Emily C. Sheffield, Alyssa H. Fritz, Julia D. Interrante, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Citation: Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 69(6), 929-936
Date: 11/2024
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'A Silent, Unmet Need': Rural Motherhood and the Challenges of Postpartum Care
Discusses the importance of rural access to postpartum care, including perinatal mental healthcare. Features programs in Montana, Maine, and Alaska that are providing support to rural mothers via postpartum doulas, telehealth, and home visiting.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Discusses the importance of rural access to postpartum care, including perinatal mental healthcare. Features programs in Montana, Maine, and Alaska that are providing support to rural mothers via postpartum doulas, telehealth, and home visiting.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Last Updated: 1/12/2026