Rural Maternity Care Losses Lead to Childbirth Risks

Details the results of a recent study that found that 179 rural counties lost hospital obstetric services between 2004 and 2014. Rural communities that were adjacent to urban areas lost 103 hospital-based obstetric services while non-adjacent rural communities lost 76. It also found that pre-term births and births outside of the hospital increased after obstetric services were lost in rural counties. According to the CDC, pre-term births are the most frequent single cause for infant mortality. (May require registration for full article.)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - Category: Rural Health Source Type: news