Rural Maternal Health – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Dec 30, 2024 - Describes the findings of new research on hospital obstetric units published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Notes that, between 2010 and 2022, a greater proportion of rural hospitals lacked obstetric services compared to urban hospitals. Discusses the wide-ranging health implications for rural mothers and babies, and provides an overview of proposed federal legislation to address the issue.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Dec 24, 2024 - Profiles a mobile clinic offering maternal healthcare to women who struggle with access in rural Eastern Kentucky, noting the maternal health disparities in the area. Discusses the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant funding the program and sustainability plans.
Source: Kentucky Lantern
Dec 19, 2024 - Reports on trends in maternal health and mortality in Arizona and drivers of poor outcomes such as limited mental health training for providers, mental health workforce shortages, and stigma. Discusses rural-specific challenges in accessing care like transportation, labor and delivery service access, broadband, and low provider reimbursement rates for care.
Source: Tuscon Sentinel
Dec 13, 2024 - Announces a major update to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Mapping Broadband Health in America platform. Notes that the tool can be used to analyze data at the intersection of broadband connectivity and a range of public health challenges, now including maternal morbidity and mortality.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Dec 6, 2024 - Features a program led by the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center (OBRC) which works to expand access to breastfeeding education in rural communities. Notes the health benefits of breastfeeding and lower rates of breastfeeding initiation in some rural areas. Describes how OBRC offers training to rural providers on evidence-based best practices and helps hospitals achieve Baby-Friendly designation.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Dec 4, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding that between 2010 and 2022 access to obstetric care has declined in both rural and urban hospitals, though closures for rural areas are felt more acutely. Notes the impact closures have on already high maternal mortality rates.
Source: University of Minnesota News and Events
Dec 2, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will hold a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) on January 7-8, 2025. Agenda items are being finalized but may include committee discussions of draft recommendations on achieving optimal maternal health and overall birth outcomes for underserved populations, including Black/African-American families, and a vote on whether to send the draft recommendations forward. The webinar link and log-in information will be available at the ACIMM website before the meeting. Requests for public comment should be sent via email to SACIM@hrsa.gov.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - A Des Moines, Iowa area hospital is using a helicopter service to reach pregnant women in need of emergency specialized care. The program is offered statewide, particularly in areas with few or no obstetricians, in response to a shortage of maternity care in Iowa.
Source: KCRG
Last Updated: 12/30/2024