(The Center Square) – Arkansas’ maternal death rate is nearly double the national average, panelists heard during a roundtable discussion on maternal health Wednesday.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Sen. John Boozman, U.S. Rep. French Hill and medical professionals across the state discussed some of the challenges facing maternal health in Arkansas.
“Nationally, 24 women out of 100,000 die during or immediately after childbirth. In the state of Arkansas, that number is almost double, and the rates of maternal mortality are particularly high in the Spanish communities across our state,” said Cam Patterson, chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “Unfortunately, this is a problem that’s getting worse and not better. Over 60% of hospitals in the state of Arkansas no longer provide labor and delivery services and that means that moms, expectant moms, have to travel for prenatal care and often go without. The good news is
Read more…
