March of Dimes Reports Maternity Care Crisis

A recent report by March of Dimes reveals that over 5.5 million women in the U.S. live in counties with limited to no access to maternity care, exacerbated by the closure of more than 100 hospital obstetric units in the past two years. With over a third of U.S. counties classified as maternity care deserts, this issue disproportionately affects low-income women and women of color, leading to higher risks of preterm births. The report highlights the alarming maternal mortality rate in the U.S., which is significantly higher than in other high-income countries, and links these challenges to broader healthcare system issues, including labor shortages and insufficient reimbursement rates. In France, a Senate report indicates a similar crisis, citing increased infant mortality and a dramatic reduction in maternity wards, raising concerns about perinatal care quality. Policymakers are urged to address these issues to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Overall, both reports underscore a critical need for reform in maternity care access worldwide.