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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care

The Effect of Pesticide Spray Season and Residential Proximity to Agriculture on Glyphosate Exposure among Pregnant People in Southern Idaho, 2021
Evaluated regular urine samples of 40 pregnant people in Idaho to determine the impact of pesticide exposure on pregnant people both near and far from agricultural fields. Analysis included before, during, and after "spray season" or the time of the year when pesticide is most likely to be applied.
Author(s): Cynthia L. Curl, Carly Hyland, Meredith Spivak, et al.
Citation: Environmental Health Perspectives, 131(12)
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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Evaluating Maternal Health Capacity Building in Rural and Underserved Areas: A Research Protocol
Describes a research protocol evaluating a project addressing maternal care shortages in rural and underserved areas of Utah.
Author(s): R.W. Owens, T.C. Whittaker, A. Galt, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(4)
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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2023 March of Dimes Report Card: The State of Maternal and Infant Health for American Families
Provides information on U.S. and state-level maternal and infant health outcomes. Considers issues such as preterm birth, infant mortality rate, access to health care, policy efforts, social determinants of health, and more. Includes county-level grades of maternal vulnerability.
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: March of Dimes
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Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Spanish-Speaking Pregnant People
Interviewed 30 rural Spanish speaking women who were pregnant or recently postpartum to determine social media advertisement factors that influenced COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Offers recommendations for public health messaging campaigns based on findings.
Author(s): Magali Sanchez, Iveliz Martel, Elizabeth Cox, et al.
Citation: Vaccines (Basel), 11(11), 1726
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
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Impact of Geography and Rurality on Preconception Health Status in the United States
Examines preconception health risk and disparities in women aged 18 to 44 years according to health factors, health behaviors, and sociodemographics. Utilizes 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to assess for preconception health risk with results broken down by race, age, education, insurance status, income, rural versus urban, and regional location.
Author(s): Madison D. Haiman, Catherine Cubbin
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
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Rural Health and Well-Being
A two-part recorded webinar that first discusses social well-being in rural areas and suggested policy and programmatic interventions to improve well-being. Also provides information on the community-based participatory research Health Equity for Rural Mothers and Families Project (HER), which advocates for health equity for pregnant women and new mothers in rural North Carolina.
Additional links: Part 1 Slides, Part 2 Slides
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Sarah E. (Betsy) Bledsoe
Date: 11/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Improving Maternity Care for Indigenous Populations
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Tina Pattara-Lau, M.D., maternal and child health consultant with the Indian Health Service Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, and Johnna Nynas, M.D., obstetrics and gynecology specialist at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. Describes common disparities and systemic barriers Indigenous people experience in maternity care and ways hospitals and healthcare organizations can address these challenges and provide culturally-focused care.
Date: 11/2023
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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MotherToBaby Gives Rural Pregnant and Breastfeeding Moms 'Fingertip Access' to Exposure Experts
Provides an overview of MotherToBaby, which works to educate pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their healthcare providers on the risks of exposures. Discusses how MotherToBaby's free services can support rural mothers, highlighting programs serving rural areas in Georgia and North Texas.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Health Network Development Planning Program: Sourcebook
Detailed descriptions of the 23 Rural Health Network Development Planning Program grant projects funded in fiscal year 2022. Reports on each grantee's network infrastructure development, plans for sustaining the network after the grant, and program activities addressing topics such as chronic disease prevention and management, behavioral health, and maternal child health. Grantee profiles identify the geographic areas served, network partners, and primary contact person.
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report
Examines maternal morbidity and mortality in Illinois between 2018 and 2020. Identifies statewide patterns in maternal health and discusses factors that influence maternal health outcomes and disparities. Explores data by demographics, including race, age, and rural county residence. Presents policy recommendations aimed at preventing maternal morbidities and mortalities.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Department of Public Health
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