Maternal care access in Iowa

In Iowa, 33.3 percent of counties are identified as maternity care deserts. In the U.S. overall, 32.6 percent of counties are maternity care deserts. Maternal care deserts are defined as having zero hospitals and birthing centers that offer obstetric care and zero obstetric providers. Full access counties have two or more hospitals and birthing centers offering obstetric care and 60 or more obstetric providers. Moderate access counties have less than two hospitals and birthing centers offering obstetric care and less than 60 obstetric providers.