Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care
2010-2023 County-Level Hospital-Based Obstetric Care Status
County-level dataset containing the county Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, county, state, and indicator of whether each county had hospital-based obstetrics care in years 2010-2023. Available for download as an XLS file.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Emily C. Sheffield, Kevan O'Hanlon, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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County-level dataset containing the county Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, county, state, and indicator of whether each county had hospital-based obstetrics care in years 2010-2023. Available for download as an XLS file.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Emily C. Sheffield, Kevan O'Hanlon, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status, Version 2 with Addendum
Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units. Addendum describes methodology updates since a previously published January 2022 report as well as additional findings using 2010-2023 data.
Additional links: An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status (Version 1, 2022)
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units. Addendum describes methodology updates since a previously published January 2022 report as well as additional findings using 2010-2023 data.
Additional links: An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status (Version 1, 2022)
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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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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South Carolina 2025-2030 State Health Improvement Plan
Describes a plan for public health improvement in South Carolina. Identifies priorities, strategies, and metrics for topics including health outcomes, maternal and infant health, and behavioral health. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Department of Public Health
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Describes a plan for public health improvement in South Carolina. Identifies priorities, strategies, and metrics for topics including health outcomes, maternal and infant health, and behavioral health. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Department of Public Health
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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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The ELEVATE Maternal Health Center of Excellence: A Program to Reduce Maternal Morbidity From Substance Use Disorder in Utah
Presents a study detailing the efforts of the ELEVATE Maternal Health Center of Excellence to address mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) among pregnant and postpartum women in rural and American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Utah. Discusses the role mental health disorders and SUD play in contributing to maternal deaths and highlights the way ELEVATE interventions aim to improve care and reduce maternal mortality.
Author(s): Erin P. Johnson, Marcela C. Smid, Susanna R. Cohen, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Addiction Journal, 47(1), 216-223
Date: 09/2025
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Presents a study detailing the efforts of the ELEVATE Maternal Health Center of Excellence to address mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) among pregnant and postpartum women in rural and American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Utah. Discusses the role mental health disorders and SUD play in contributing to maternal deaths and highlights the way ELEVATE interventions aim to improve care and reduce maternal mortality.
Author(s): Erin P. Johnson, Marcela C. Smid, Susanna R. Cohen, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Addiction Journal, 47(1), 216-223
Date: 09/2025
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Progress Towards Vitality: A 10-Year Retrospective Analysis of Systems Focused Efforts to Improve Maternal Health in Georgia
Assesses the state of Georgia's accomplishments and challenges in improving maternal health in Georgia in accordance with recommendations from Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) and the Georgia House Study Committee on Maternal Mortality. Discusses rural maternal care resources and access.
Author(s): Tabitha Pyatt, Nia Stewart, Juliana Lewis, Meredith Gonsahn
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Georgia Health Initiative, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Assesses the state of Georgia's accomplishments and challenges in improving maternal health in Georgia in accordance with recommendations from Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) and the Georgia House Study Committee on Maternal Mortality. Discusses rural maternal care resources and access.
Author(s): Tabitha Pyatt, Nia Stewart, Juliana Lewis, Meredith Gonsahn
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Georgia Health Initiative, NORC at the University of Chicago
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New York State's Paid Family Leave Improved Postpartum Health Care among Women with Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
Assesses the impact of a state paid family leave law on postpartum healthcare utilization among 312,470 women with hypertensive disorders. Includes rural and urban break down by hypertension status of study participants, among other demographic and health characteristics.
Author(s): Donglan Zhang, Jun Soo Lee, Elena V. Kuklina, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 3(10)
Date: 09/2025
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Assesses the impact of a state paid family leave law on postpartum healthcare utilization among 312,470 women with hypertensive disorders. Includes rural and urban break down by hypertension status of study participants, among other demographic and health characteristics.
Author(s): Donglan Zhang, Jun Soo Lee, Elena V. Kuklina, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 3(10)
Date: 09/2025
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Georgia Counties Offering CON-Authorized Obstetrical (OB) Services
County-level map showing the location of obstetrical (OB) services authorized by Georgia's Certificate of Need (CON) program. Features shadings showing rural and urban counties with OB facilities, and counties containing Critical Access Hospitals with OB facilities.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Georgia State Office of Rural Health
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County-level map showing the location of obstetrical (OB) services authorized by Georgia's Certificate of Need (CON) program. Features shadings showing rural and urban counties with OB facilities, and counties containing Critical Access Hospitals with OB facilities.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Georgia State Office of Rural Health
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Maternal Health in Utah: Risk Factors, Workforce Gaps, and Access to Care
Describes the state of maternal healthcare in Utah including outcomes, mortality, risk factors, health status, access to hospitals, and workforce shortages. Offers county-level data and discusses rural throughout.
Author(s): Melanie Beagley
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Utah Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
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Describes the state of maternal healthcare in Utah including outcomes, mortality, risk factors, health status, access to hospitals, and workforce shortages. Offers county-level data and discusses rural throughout.
Author(s): Melanie Beagley
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Utah Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
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