EASTERN ARKANSAS — According to a new report from the March of Dimes, nearly half — 44 percent — of Arkansas counties qualify as “maternity care deserts” due to the lack of a birthing hospital and OB physician.
That includes Cross, Poinsett and Crittenden counties in eastern Arkansas.
According to the report, only 22 of the state’s 75 counties have a hospital that delivers babies. Since 2020, eight labor and delivery units in the state have closed, including two this year.
Searcy County in the north central part of the state has one of the longest drives to a birthing hospital at 84 minutes. Ashley County in extreme southeastern Arkansas lost its local unit and now expectant mothers must drive 48 minutes.
The March of Dimes report said the maternity care deserts are due to policy decisions and longstanding underinvestment in maternity care infrastructure.
