State-Level Prevalence of Maternity Care Deserts: Association With Healthcare Access, Utilization, and Outcomes Among Medicaid Recipients

High state-level prevalence of maternity care deserts is associated with adverse maternal and child outcomes; exacerbating concerns as health during the perinatal period sets the trajectory for health across the lifespan. Policy and practice solutions must address pervasive health inequities associated with maternity care deserts (e.g., expanding access to maternity care through family medicine physicians, doulas, telehealth access, and supporting rural obstetric readiness).