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Prenatal Care Declines: US Sees Alarming Trend
19 Feb
Summary
- Early prenatal care access decreased for US women in recent years.
- Significant rises in delayed or no prenatal care reported nationwide.
- Maternity care deserts impact over a third of US counties.
A concerning trend reveals more pregnant women are delaying or foregoing prenatal care in the United States. Data from 2024 indicates a drop in first-trimester prenatal care recipients, with a concurrent rise in women receiving care later or none at all.
This shift marks a reversal from previous years when prenatal care access was improving. The reasons remain unclear, but potential contributing factors include the pandemic's lingering effects, reduced access to OB-GYN services post-Roe v. Wade, and the growing prevalence of "maternity care deserts."
These deserts, where specialized maternity care is absent, now affect over a third of U.S. counties. Distrust in medical systems or government may also play a role for some individuals. The decline was observed across various age groups and races.
While six states saw improvements in prenatal care access, 36 states and Washington D.C. reported increases in delayed or absent care. Provisional data for 2025 suggests potential improvements, though final figures are pending. Early prenatal care is crucial for detecting risks like infections and managing conditions like diabetes, significantly impacting maternal and fetal outcomes.
