Anna West of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, and Melanie Beagley of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute share insights from a report on maternity care access across the state that reveals many Utah mothers—especially in rural communities—face significant obstacles to receiving proper maternal care.
Why it matters
Nearly 30% of maternal deaths in Utah involve barriers to accessing healthcare, with cost and transportation being the leading issues.
The most common factors contributing to maternal deaths in Utah are mental health conditions, substance use disorder, and obesity, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services report released this spring.
Seven of Utah’s 29 counties don’t have a birthing hospital, and five counties have average travel times exceeding 60 minutes to reach maternal care facilities.
The big picture
For families, the challenges extend beyond distance:
- Lost income from taking time off work
- Transportation costs for long-distance travel
- Childcare expenses
- Other costs not covered by health insurance
Women in rural communities and Utah’s racial and ethnic minority women face a higher prevalence of risk factors associated with poor maternal health outcomes.
What they’re saying
“The providers we spoke with were across the state. They are so passionate. They are doing everything they can to help these families, and they just try to make it work.” — Melanie Beagley, Sr. Health Research Analyst, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
What’s being done
The report highlights efforts underway to address gaps in maternal care:
- Leveraging existing healthcare workforce in innovative ways
- Developing solutions that reduce travel burdens
- Creating programs that allow patients to stay in their communities
Go deeper
View the full report: https://ruralhealth.utah.gov/maternal-health/