Mapping maternity care deserts: Driving distance and health outcomes in North Carolina.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study evaluated the association between maternal care deserts (MCDs)-defined by accessibility measures such as travel time and distance to obstetric and gynecological care-and maternal and infant health outcomes in North Carolina from 2016 to 2021.

Methods

This was a retrospective secondary data analysis examining residents of North Carolina from 2016 to 2021, using travel metrics from residential zip codes to the nearest clinical providers. Maternal and infant health outcomes were assessed using data from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and inpatient hospitalization records for North Carolina. Outcomes of interest included cesarean delivery rates, severe maternal morbidity (SMM2

SUBMITTER: Sugg M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11977038 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature