THE FUSE

Maternal health care concerns are making research headlines. In 2025, The March of Dimes reported 24.5 % of expecting mothers no longer receive prenatal care in the first trimester, a critical period for ensuring a healthy pregnancy and baby. This year, researchers Stoneburner et al. told us, “Over 35 % of U.S. counties are designated as 'maternity care deserts', lacking obstetric clinicians and birthing facilities."