Researchers said the increase in maternity deserts and poor access to care is in part due to obstetric  wards.  A whopping 5.6 million birthing people are finding themselves without access to maternity care as the prevalence of maternity deserts continues to grow, according to reports from the March of Dimes. 

These care access issues are compounded by the social determinants of health that also impact maternal health outcomes, the report authors said.

Illinois Report - download here.

Summary of the USA  Report- click here.

Report Shows 4% Drop in Birthing Hospitals with Nearly 6 Million Women Living in Areas with No or Limited Access to Care

The March of Dimes report comes as the healthcare industry grapples with a fraught maternal health problem.

Separate studies have found that the US has the worst maternal health outcomes and worst maternal health equity out of the developed world. On top of that, the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade has called into question overall access to all kinds of reproductive healthcare, not just abortion.

Now, March of Dimes is outlining the state of birthing and maternity care access, particularly by shining a light on maternity care deserts.

“A person’s ability to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy birth should not be dictated by where they live and their ability to access consistent, quality care but these reports shows that, today, these factors make it dangerous to be pregnant and give birth for millions of women in the United States,” Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, March of Dimes president and chief executive officer, stated publicly.

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