VGM 2021 Breakout Session: Improving Perinatal Outcomes in Rural Communities

This session was part of the 2021 Virtual Grantee Meeting. This breakout session focused on the specific challenges of maternal health care in rural communities.  The epidemiology of maternity care access in rural areas and the associated outcomes are discussed and the specific educational needs for rural maternity care to improve maternal outcomes are outlined. This session goes on to explain the needed screening and ongoing monitoring of women with high-risk pregnancies with consideration for available local resources to prevent adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Possible strategies to increase rural access to maternity care and improve outcomes are identified.