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Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care

Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Maternal Health in America
Action plan outlining steps the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking to reduce maternal mortality and address disparities that endanger women before, during, and following pregnancy. Four main goals include: improving prevention and treatment services to promote positive health outcomes for every woman of reproductive age; prioritizing quality improvement efforts to support healthy pregnancies and births; improving postpartum health; and enhancing data and research to inform future interventions. Includes data and statistics on maternal health and morbidity, and addresses rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Dawn Alley, Andre Chappel, Nancy De Lew, et al.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Infant Mortality in Rural and Nonrural Counties in the United States
Examines infant mortality at the county level and across the rural-urban continuum of the U.S. Utilizes infant death records from 2014 to 2016 to analyze infant mortality by rural-urban classification, county-level demographics, and individual-level demographics and healthcare characteristics.
Author(s): Deborah B. Ehrenthal, Hsiang-Hui Daphne Kuo, Russell S. Kirby
Citation: Pediatrics, 146(5)
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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The Complex Geographies of Telelactation and Access to Community Breastfeeding Support in the State of Ohio
Study examining face-to-face and virtual breastfeeding support options in Ohio, comparing access in urban and rural areas. Explores potential for telelactation services to increase access for rural mothers, noting the barrier of broadband service access. Offers maps that represent spatial data on breastfeeding support access and that identify locations where breastfeeding support interventions would have the most impact.
Author(s): Tony H. Grubesic, Kelly M. Durbin
Citation: PLoS One, 15(11), e0242457
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Introducing Telehealth to Rural and Indigenous Communities: A Telehealth 101 Virtual Workshop for Tribes
Webinar recordings from a 2-day workshop on telehealth implementation in rural and Indigenous communities. Presentation topics include telehealth business, technology, standards, and evaluation; health equity; maternal health; Indian Health Service (IHS) resources; telehealth funding; telebehavioral health and telemedicine-based Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT); and other telehealth-related topics.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: American Indian Public Health Resource Center, Health Resources and Services Administration, North Dakota Department of Health
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Promoting Access to Care for Women of Reproductive Age with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Rural Communities
Report highlights the barriers to mental healthcare and substance use disorder treatment for rural women of reproductive age. Discusses continuity of care, access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and workforce shortages among other barriers. Presents recommendations, such as telehealth and care coordination, and provides program examples from different states.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Georgia Health Policy Center
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Emergency Obstetric Training Needed in Rural Hospitals without Obstetric Units
Results of a survey of 47 nurse managers and emergency department administrators from rural hospitals without obstetric care. Examines the types of trainings and resources that would better prepare these hospitals to handle obstetric emergencies.
Author(s): Mary Gilbertson, Mariana Story Tuttle, Kristin DeArruda Wharton, Katy Backes Kozhimannil
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Doulas Enhance the Birthing Experience: Brookings Health System, Brookings, SD
Case study profiling Brookings Health System, a rural health system in South Dakota, and its implementation of a free doula program. Discusses the impact of the doula program, patient and staff, satisfaction, lessons learned, and future goals for the program.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: Kearny County Hospital
Profiles the maternity program at Kearny County Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in rural Lakin, Kansas. Describes key features of the program including mission-based recruitment and strong communication. Includes recommendations for emulating this model.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: ANGELS Network & Millard-Henry Clinic
Describes the Antenatal and Neonatal Guidelines, Education, and Learning System (ANGELS) program, a high-risk pregnancy program based at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science designed to improve the ability of tertiary care facilities in the state to deliver low birth weight babies. Discusses the importance of communication between ANGELS staff and partner clinics and the role of telehealth services for specialty care.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: Western Wisconsin Health
Profiles Western Wisconsin Health, a Critical Access Hospital in rural Wisconsin with a successful obstetrics unit. Describes the philosophy of the leadership and staff, as well as the scope of services. Includes recommendations for emulating this model.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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