Rural mothers face disproportionately high risks in pregnancy and childbirth, driven by hospital closures, long travel distances, and shortages of obstetric providers. The white paper highlights that maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity are significantly higher in rural areas, with barriers compounded for women of color. Workforce gaps, inadequate insurance coverage, and weak infrastructure further strain access to timely, quality care. Aspen CSG emphasizes that addressing these disparities requires community-driven strategies—strengthening local health systems, investing in rural providers, and building cross-sector partnerships that honor the lived realities of rural families.
Maternal health in rural America
