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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care

Social and Structural Determinants of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality: An Evidence Map
Presents results of a systematic literature review of risk factors associated with maternal morbidity and mortality before, during, and after birth. Reports study findings on social and structural determinants of health including rurality, income, mental health, environment, violence, and trauma, among other factors. Observes the state of current research and identifies limitations.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Full Report
Author(s): Jaime Slaughter-Acey, Kathryn Behrens, Amy M. Claussen, et al.
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Rural Health Care Coordination Program Directory, 2023-2027
Provides an overview of the 10 initiatives funded under the Rural Health Care Coordination Program during the 2023-2027 project period. Each profile includes information on the focus areas to be addressed, project partners, and targeted populations.
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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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
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Department of Public Health
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Aligning Systems for Health: Research Learnings from Across the Nation
Summarizes findings from three cohorts funded through the Aligning Systems for Health initiative, which explores how systems can better work together to address community goals and needs. Covers research on how established collaborative systems responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, how collaborative systems can be measured, and the evidence base around approaches and conditions that foster collaborative systems. Features findings from the Strengthening Health Equity in Recovery Outcomes (SHERO) study, which measured and described the context surrounding cross-sector alignment within rural and urban community networks in Kentucky, and system alignment efforts across four tribal partners.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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