Maternity Care Deserts: Bridging Gaps in Maternal Healthcare Access

Key Points

• Access barriers to maternal healthcare are significant in many regions, leading to poor perinatal outcomes.
• Identified healthcare disparities affect pregnant individuals, with nearly 20% living in healthcare deserts.
• Geographic distribution analysis highlights areas most in need of improved maternal services and intervention.
• These findings underscore the urgent need for strategies to bridge gaps in access and improve overall maternal health.