March of Dimes’ Post

The American #maternalhealth crisis is multifactorial and complex. However, access to care is an absolute necessity to start the improvement process. Today we released our latest #maternity care desert report detailing not just where hospitals, birth centers and providers are lacking, but the impact on patients, such as: ➡ inadequate #prenatal care ➡ longer distances to delivery hospitals ➡ higher likelihood of #pretermbirth I'm proud to be part of this organization as we leverage advocacy, programming, strategic investment and research to make change. Things can and should be better for families as they navigate the #pregnancy --> #postpartum --> #newborn experience.

The 2024 March of Dimes report on maternity care deserts in the United States reveals a concerning situation regarding access to maternal healthcare. Thank you for this crucial work. Here are the key findings and implications: Prevalence of Maternity Care Deserts Over 35% of U.S. counties are classified as maternity care deserts. These counties lack any birthing facilities or obstetric clinicians. Approximately 2.3 million women of reproductive age live in these areas. Poorer pre-pregnancy health; Less prenatal care Women in maternity care deserts face a 13% higher risk of preterm birth. Healthcare Provider Shortages Over 1 in 3 U.S. counties lack a single obstetric clinician. Many regions are seeing OB-GYNs and family physicians who deliver babies leaving the workforce. 23 states have policies restricting midwives from providing full-scope care. 70% of birth centers in the U.S. are concentrated in just 10 states. This report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across the United States, particularly in underserved areas. HeraMED Limited is working with our healthcare partners to bring customised pregnancy and post-partum care to moms in the US and continuing to collaborate with our partners to reduce and remove barriers to access care. #maternalcare #maternitydesert #access #SDOH #rpm

In South Dakota, families travel long distances to a maternity centers inorder to birth their babies. Leveraging technology and resources can create efficiencies to help support health care providers and patients. However, policy and payment lag and are barriers to implementing these changes. At the Avera Research Institute, we are engineering and studying the best way to provide safe and joyful maternal health care, and then working with policy makers and payers to create sustainable change. Thanks March of Dimes—for shining a light on rural maternal health. #maternity care. #maternalhealth. https://lnkd.in/gwkd_ZBn

Where you live matters. Where you deliver matters.

The 2024 Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts in the US Report found that more than 35 percent of U.S. counties are maternity care deserts, meaning they are an area without a single birthing facility or obstetrician clinician. These 1,104 counties are home to more than 2.3 million women of reproductive age and more than 150,000 babies were birthed by women living in a maternity care desert. The report underscores the urgent need for action to address the ongoing maternal health care crisis in the U.S. to ensure all mothers and babies have access to quality care.

This morning, March of Dimes released an urgent new report on access to maternity care in the U.S. entitled Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts in the US. This report provides a deep look at access to maternity care throughout the country.   Where you live matters when it comes to the options available for maternity care. Maternity care deserts are counties where there is no access to birthing hospitals, birth centers offering obstetric care, or obstetric providers. Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts in the US reveals that over 35% of counties are considered maternity care deserts. This means that in 1,104 counties, there is not a single birthing facility or obstetric clinician.   Our report includes detailed statistics, analysis, and policy recommendations. Click below to view the report and read more. https://lnkd.in/eTh9BGzs

March of Dimes' new Maternity Care Deserts Report is out. Here are some highlights. One thing to keep in mind ----> if it's a maternity care desert, it's a newborn care desert (and very likely a pediatric care desert). Let's fix this. - 35% of US counties are maternity care deserts. - More than 150,000 babies were born to birthing people living in maternity care deserts. An additional 200,000 babies were born in counties with limited maternity care access. - Living in a maternity care desert is associated with a 13% increased risk of preterm birth. - Over half of counties in the US do not have a hospital that provides obstetric care. - Nearly 70% of birth centers are located within just 10 states. es (CNMs). - On average, birthing women in the US travel 3-5X farther on average, for rural and maternity care desert residents.   https://lnkd.in/g9f8eSH4

The March of Dimes released their annual report “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the US”. This year’s report highlights that access to maternity facilities has decreased, with over 100 hospitals closing their birthing services, and that access to maternity providers has declined. Together, those trends have a significant impact on outcomes for pregnant patients and their families. My colleague Sarah Weatherman and I spend a lot of time thinking about women’s health, and clients are facing these challenges each day. A strong strategy paired with strong operations can help organizations mitigate the impact of the changing maternity care landscape.  https://lnkd.in/gVbEUW9k

The rights of women should never be overlooked nor forgotten, especially when it comes to maternity care. On #IWD2024 take a few moments to read The Respectful Maternity Care Charter which addresses the issue of disrespect and abuse toward women and newborns who are utilizing maternal and newborn care services and provides a platform for improvement. https://ow.ly/mJPp50QOqtX

Where you live matters when it comes to the options available for maternity care. Maternity care deserts are counties where there is no access to birthing hospitals, birth centers offering obstetric care, or obstetric providers. The March of Dimes latest report "Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts in the US" reveals that over 35% of counties are considered maternity care deserts. It's shocking to learn that over half of US counties do not have a hospital that provides obstetric care, and nearly 70% of birth centers are located within just ten states. These findings affirm that US systems, policies, and environments are failing moms and babies. We encourage you to read the report and learn how you may be impacted in your community https://lnkd.in/eUzfjmGV #maternity #maternalhealth #womenshealth #maternitydeserts #maternalhealthequity #valuebasedmaternitycare