Access and Utilization of Maternal Health Services in Rural Areas
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 6
Special Issue Editor
Interests: maternal and child health; perinatal and newborn care; reproductive health; health disparities
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Despite global and domestic progress in maternal health, rural populations continue to face disproportionate barriers to accessing and utilizing essential maternal health services. Geographic isolation, provider shortages, limited transportation, and under-resourced health systems contribute to persistent differences in maternal outcomes in rural communities.
This Special Issue seeks to bring together new research, insights, policy analyses, and programmatic innovations that address the unique challenges of rural maternal health. We welcome submissions that explore strategies to improve service delivery, strengthen workforce capacity, integrate relevant care models, and leverage technology to expand reach and access. Papers focusing on maternal health care, implementation science, community-engaged research, and cross-sector partnerships in rural settings are especially encouraged.
By centering the experiences and structural realities of rural communities, this Special Issue aims to inform sustainable improvements in maternal health access and outcomes.
Prof. Dr. Alessandra N. Bazzano
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- rural maternal health
- access to care
- health service utilization
- community-engaged research
- implementation science
- workforce development
- telehealth and digital tools
- public health systems
- life course approaches
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