Maternity care access remains limited across much of the U.S., with 34.6% of counties classified as maternity care deserts and more than half lacking a hospital with labor and delivery services. The March of Dimes found little change since 2016, while 57.9% of rural counties lack a practicing obstetric clinician. Financial pressures, low rural birth volumes, inadequate Medicaid reimbursement, hospital staffing shortages, and potential Medicaid cuts could further reduce access, particularly in rural communities. By 2035, all but six states are projected to have an inadequate supply of ob…

Public health communicators facing unfavorable media coverage should consider that public complaints can substantially amplify the original story and its negative framing. A company executive’s social media response to a July 9 Wired article generated 437,000 views on the first day and 2.3 million within several days, compared with fewer than 15,000 views for Wired’s promotional post. The response shifted attention from the article’s reporting to the company’s dispute over its framing, while potentially overshadowing more favorable coverage. The episode highlights the importance of weig…