LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A recent study by the March of Dimes highlights both Missouri and Arkansas as difficult places for expectant mothers and newborns to access health care.
The 2024 report “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.” ranked Missouri and Arkansas near the bottom for access to maternity care. The report showed that 51.6% of the Show Me State’s counties and 50.7% of the Natural State’s counties do not have provisions for maternity care, meaning mothers have to travel out-of-county to give birth or seek health care. That gives Missouri and Arkansas the fourth and sixth-worst rates in the country respectively.
The report scored states using 11 data points, such as the population-to-maternity care clinician ratio, fertility rate, and maternal health indicators.
The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.
(Story by Alex Kienlen, Drew Tasset, ozarksfirst.com)
Rainy Pattern in Place, Severe Storms Possible Later This Week
Early Voting Last Day, Primary Election Tuesday
Rain Pattern Continues Through the Week
Thousands Attend Service for Fallen Deputies
Judge Latest Arrest in Investigation of Boone County Public Corruption