March of Dimes - PersiStats Logo
Table of contents

Key findings and introduction

Introduction

These findings are intended to inform public health planning and support policy and system change.

  1. Reports
  2. Maternity Care Deserts
  3. Key findings and introduction

Key findings

Key Finding 1
Key Finding 2
Key Finding 3
Key Finding 4
Key Finding 5
Key Finding 6

Introduction

Too many families in the U.S. continue to face barriers to accessing timely and appropriate maternity care. Maternal and infant outcomes are shaped by systems, policies, and access to care, highlighting the critical need for continued investment in maternity care infrastructure to improve outcomes for moms and babies.

The “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.” report examines access to maternity care across the country, highlighting geographic disparities and recent trends in access to care. The findings are intended to inform public health planning, support policy and systems change, and elevate strategies that improve access and outcomes for moms and babies.

March of Dimes uses the term “maternity care deserts” to describe locations in the U.S. where there are no hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care and no obstetric clinicians. It is important to note that maternity care deserts are not naturally occurring, they are the result of deliberate policy decisions and resource allocations.

What is healthcare access and why does it matter?

Access to healthcare means being able to find qualified clinicians and receive timely, appropriate medical services. Maternity care access functions as a structural determinant of maternal and infant health.

Access to comprehensive maternity care across the pregnancy journey supports:1

Before pregnancy
During pregnancy
After pregnancy
Optimal health before pregnancy begins
Timely initiation of prenatal care
Postpartum follow-up care
Identification and management of chronic conditions
Recommended screenings and vaccinations
Monitoring for postpartum complications
Mental health screening and treatment
Mental health screening and treatment
Management of chronic conditions
Reproductive planning
Monitoring and management of pregnancy complications
Mental health screening and treatment
Risk-appropriate care at delivery
Newborn care education

What factors can impact access to maternity care?

  • Clinician availability: Availability of obstetric and subspecialty clinicians, wait times for appointments, and acceptance of insurance plans
  • Birthing facilities: Physical access to services, proximity of hospital labor and delivery units, availability of higher-level care when appropriate
  • Financial access: Access to health insurance, affordability of transportation, and childcare
  • Policy: State, federal, and facility-level policies that shape coverage, access, and care delivery
Preface
Maternity care access in the U.S.