In the United States, rural women face some of the steepest barriers to accessing healthcare, particularly maternity care. These challenges are more than just statistics—they represent the lived reality for millions of women navigating pregnancy and childbirth in underserved areas. Here are some eye-opening figures from a 2024 March of Dimes report that highlight the state of rural women’s health in 2024.
35% of U.S. counties are maternity care deserts.
Maternity care deserts are areas without obstetric hospitals, birth centers, or clinicians, leaving 2.5 million reproductive-aged women without access to local care. Women in these areas face difficult choices: travel long distances for care or delay it altogether—a reality that often leads to worse outcomes for mothers and infants.
For women in maternity care deserts, the average travel time to a birthing hospital is 38 minutes.
In rural areas, reaching the nearest hospital equipped for delivery often means driving 30 to 60 miles or more. This travel burden disproportionately affects women in emergencies, where every minute counts.
1 in 25 obstetric units closed its doors in the two years leading up to the report.
Hospital closures in rural America have led to significant service gaps, with labor and delivery units particularly at risk. Even hospitals that remain open may need to temporarily divert patients due to staff shortages, creating uncertainty for expectant mothers.
67.4% of rural counties lack a single obstetric hospital.
Coupled with the fact that 57.7% of rural counties don’t even have an obstetric physician, these statistics underscore the severity of resource gaps in rural America. For context, rural areas average only 59.2 OB/GYNs per 10,000 births, compared to much higher coverage in urban settings.
1 in 6 babies born in maternity care deserts do not receive adequate prenatal care.
Prenatal care is crucial for identifying and managing risks during pregnancy, yet it remains out of reach for many women in rural areas. This lack of care contributes to higher rates of complications and poorer outcomes for mothers and their babies.
Empowering rural hospitals through Maternal Health Access Solutions
With a nationwide OB/GYN shortage poised to worsen in the coming years, rural areas are already feeling the strain. Creative solutions are essential to closing these gaps.
The Maternal Health Access Solutions (MHAS) program by Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) empowers rural hospitals to sustain and grow their maternal health services. Through flexible staffing solutions, support for labor and delivery units, and access to providers like nurse practitioners and certified midwives, OBHG is helping ensure mothers and newborns thrive in their own communities.
This National Rural Health Day, let’s celebrate rural mothers and take action to support their health and well-being. By working together to close gaps in care, we can create lasting impact and build stronger, healthier communities.