Are there maternity care deserts in Oklahoma?

Maternity health care deserts exist in nearly every state in the U.S., including Oklahoma. Thirty-eight counties are considered maternity care deserts, including Grady, Logan, and Le Flore.

More than one-third of U.S. counties are maternity care deserts, according to maternal and infant health nonprofit March of Dimes. That number is higher in rural counties, where nearly 58% lack obstetric clinicians.

2.4 million women of reproductive age and 149,000 infants born each year reside in maternity care deserts. Residents travel an average of three times longer to reach labor and delivery services than residents of full-access counties.

Maternity care deserts, regions with no obstetric clinicians or birthing facilities, are associated with poorer maternal and infant health and higher mortality risks.

Recent cuts to Medicaid, which covered 41% of births in 2023, and nearly half in rural areas, are projected to create new maternity care deserts.