March of Dimes Report Unveils Ongoing Disparities in Maternity Care Access Across the US
In a revealing new report titled "Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.," published on August 11, 2026, March of Dimes, a leading nonprofit in maternal and infant health advocacy, highlights the ongoing and severe disparities in access to maternity care. The report shows that one in three counties in the United States lacks sufficient maternity services, forcing many women to travel significantly greater distances to obtain necessary care, particularly in light of recent closures of maternity wards in hospitals.
According to the report, nearly 100 maternity units were closed from 2024 to 2026, a trend which not only increases travel distances for expectant mothers but is linked with delayed access to prenatal care, unintended out-of-hospital births, and heightened maternal morbidity. Women living in areas classified as maternity care deserts must travel three times farther to receive obstetric services than those living in regions with comprehensive access.
The findings of the March of Dimes report reveal that 34.6% of U.S. counties are now categorized as maternity care deserts, affecting approximately 2.4 million women of childbearing age and resulting in around 149,000 births per year without adequate local support. Furthermore, over half of the counties nationwide do not have hospitals equipped with maternity services, impacting close to 370,000 births annually. Rural areas are particularly hard hit, with nearly 58% of counties lacking obstetric professionals compared to 19% in urban locations.
Cindy Rahman, the President and CEO of March of Dimes, stated, "Across the country, families continue to face unnecessary obstacles in accessing maternal care, and changes to the healthcare system coupled with policy decisions threaten to widen these inequalities and weaken essential services. It's time we rethink maternity care in this country to ensure healthier beginnings and stronger communities for future generations."
The report emphasizes a call for coordinated action among healthcare professionals, policymakers, businesses, and communities to address these critical issues. Proposed solutions include advocating for federal and state legislation to protect and expand access to maternity care, mobile health units to bring services directly to underserved areas, and enhancing the availability of doula services to improve community support for childbirth.
One of the significant legislative efforts highlighted is the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, aimed at training healthcare providers to deliver emergency obstetric care in rural settings. March of Dimes also showcases its Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers, currently operational in various U.S. cities, aimed at providing direct maternity services to women in underserved communities.
Rahman stated that improving access to maternity care requires evidence-based solutions that can ensure that all families get the necessary support. The March of Dimes Collective Impact Initiative in Houston, which offers training and support for doulas, is another key area where they are actively working on community-based solutions.
The report concludes with an urgent reminder that maternity care deserts are not accidental; they are the result of deliberate policy decisions that have deprived numerous families of essential healthcare access. Dr. Michael Warren from March of Dimes emphasized the importance of a robust support system for mothers and babies, stating, "We cannot fix this crisis alone."
For more detailed findings and information on efforts to improve accessibility to maternity services, visit marchofdimes.org/mcdr. The report has been sponsored by the OB Hospitalist Group, which specializes in maternal health services.
According to the report, nearly 100 maternity units were closed from 2024 to 2026, a trend which not only increases travel distances for expectant mothers but is linked with delayed access to prenatal care, unintended out-of-hospital births, and heightened maternal morbidity. Women living in areas classified as maternity care deserts must travel three times farther to receive obstetric services than those living in regions with comprehensive access.
The findings of the March of Dimes report reveal that 34.6% of U.S. counties are now categorized as maternity care deserts, affecting approximately 2.4 million women of childbearing age and resulting in around 149,000 births per year without adequate local support. Furthermore, over half of the counties nationwide do not have hospitals equipped with maternity services, impacting close to 370,000 births annually. Rural areas are particularly hard hit, with nearly 58% of counties lacking obstetric professionals compared to 19% in urban locations.
Cindy Rahman, the President and CEO of March of Dimes, stated, "Across the country, families continue to face unnecessary obstacles in accessing maternal care, and changes to the healthcare system coupled with policy decisions threaten to widen these inequalities and weaken essential services. It's time we rethink maternity care in this country to ensure healthier beginnings and stronger communities for future generations."
The report emphasizes a call for coordinated action among healthcare professionals, policymakers, businesses, and communities to address these critical issues. Proposed solutions include advocating for federal and state legislation to protect and expand access to maternity care, mobile health units to bring services directly to underserved areas, and enhancing the availability of doula services to improve community support for childbirth.
One of the significant legislative efforts highlighted is the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, aimed at training healthcare providers to deliver emergency obstetric care in rural settings. March of Dimes also showcases its Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers, currently operational in various U.S. cities, aimed at providing direct maternity services to women in underserved communities.
Rahman stated that improving access to maternity care requires evidence-based solutions that can ensure that all families get the necessary support. The March of Dimes Collective Impact Initiative in Houston, which offers training and support for doulas, is another key area where they are actively working on community-based solutions.
The report concludes with an urgent reminder that maternity care deserts are not accidental; they are the result of deliberate policy decisions that have deprived numerous families of essential healthcare access. Dr. Michael Warren from March of Dimes emphasized the importance of a robust support system for mothers and babies, stating, "We cannot fix this crisis alone."
For more detailed findings and information on efforts to improve accessibility to maternity services, visit marchofdimes.org/mcdr. The report has been sponsored by the OB Hospitalist Group, which specializes in maternal health services.
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