Maternity Care Deserts: A Silent Crisis Unfolding Across America The statistics are stark: one third of U. S. counties lack adequate maternity care services.
Women in these areas have limited or no access to obstetricians, hospitals, or basic birthing facilities. This problem has been unfolding over the past decade, with little attention from policymakers.
A recent report by the March of Dimes paints a grim picture: 34. 6% of U. S. counties are without maternity care services, and more than half lack hospitals equipped to handle labor and delivery.