Closure of Labor & Delivery Units in Rural Counties Is Associated with Reduced Adequacy of Prenatal Care, Even When Prenatal Care Remains Available

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Examines adequacy of prenatal care following the closure of labor and delivery units in rural Iowa counties using birth certificate information from 47 rural counties between 2017 and 2019. Compares rural counties with a closure to those without a closure. Examines the difference in impact for Medicaid and non-Medicaid patients, age, race and ethnicity, educational attainment, and more.

Stephanie M. Radke, Laurel Smiens, Kelly K. Ryckman, Thomas S. Gruca

Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 746-755

2023

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Access · Maternal health and prenatal care · Medicaid · Statistics and data · Iowa