Access to maternal health care in decline, putting millions at risk: report

A new report found that access to maternal health care is on the decline, which puts millions at risk for complications as the maternal mortality rate continues to rise.

The data from the nonprofit organization March of Dimes found that in 2022, more than 6.9 million women live in maternity care deserts or areas where there is limited maternity care access. According to the report, 36 percent of U.S. counties are classified as maternity care deserts. About 2 in 3 of those deserts are in rural counties.

The organization defines a maternity care desert as “any county without a hospital or…