A Conversation on Maternal Health Care in Rural Communities:
Charting a Path to Improved Access, Quality and Outcomes

Wednesday, June 12, 2019
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Barbara Jordan Conference Center
Kaiser Family Foundation
1330 G Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20005

Connect to today's multicast event here:  http://stream.sparkstreetdigital.com/20190612-maternalhealth.html?id=20190612-maternalhealth

Video Vignettes: Experiences of Rural Women in Accessing Maternal Health Services in Rural America

More than 100 rural hospitals have closed since 2010, others have closed their obstetrics department, and half of all US counties lack an obstetrician or gynecologist. Subsequently, fewer than 50% of rural women have access to perinatal services within a 30-minute drive of their home. These experiences are worse for women of color in rural areas and those in tribal communities, as they are more likely to live in counties with fewer services. This interactive event will provide an overview of the state of maternal healthcare in rural communities, with a focus on access to maternal health services before, during, and after pregnancy. Attendees will learn about promising practices and help identify areas of opportunity to improve access to maternal health services and achieve health equity within rural communities.

OBJECTIVES

• Provide an overview of the state of maternal healthcare in rural communities, with a focus on access to maternal health services before, during, and after pregnancy; and disparities in maternal health outcomes.
• Share existing promising practices and areas of opportunity to improve access to maternal health services and achieve health equity within rural communities.
• Develop priorities and next steps for a plan of action to improve access to maternal health services, the quality of care provided, and maternal health outcomes in rural communities as well as reduce disparities.

Rural Maternal Forum Agenda 6-10-19.pdf

Hosted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in collaboration with the American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women's Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Birth Equity Collaborative, and the National Rural Health Association.