Maternity Care Deserts and Postpartum Outcomes: Bridging the Gap in Maternal Health Care in Florida [ID 2683485

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Over 2.2 million women of reproductive age live in areas, referred to as maternity care deserts (MCD), with inadequate access to postpartum care services. Furthermore, deaths occurring during the postpartum period account for over half of all pregnancy related deaths. This analysis serves to provide an overview of the intricate relationship between health care access and postpartum health while exploring the increased risk of delayed detection of postpartum complications and the association to increasing maternal mortality rates. METHODS: Data provided by the Area Health Resource File were used to identify counties in Florida that met the criteria of a designated MCD. Data collected on all pregnancy-related deaths verified by the Florida Department of Health (2020–2021) and geographic codes for MCD were used to identify significant associations. RESULTS: This study collected data from a total of 1,938 pregnancy related deaths. A significant increase in the number of postpartum related deaths was during that time (75%). More than a quarter were in MCD (26%). An association of postpartum related deaths with MCD showed an increase (22%). 1 in 10 women living in MCD reported to not receive a postpartum care visit, these counties were also noted to be more likely to have limited telehealth access (30%). CONCLUSION: Maternity care desert limitations to postpartum care reduce prevention efforts, increase risk for delayed complications to go undetected, and contribute to the maternal mortality rates. Potential solutions include policy revisions to expand telehealth access and efforts to increase the awareness of the importance of postpartum care.