Closing Maternity Deserts with $2.8M Grant | Raleigh News

Raleigh News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 9, 2026 · 2m

A $2.8 million grant is launching a bold new effort to combat maternity deserts—rural areas with little to no access to obstetric care. Targeting ten underserved counties, the initiative will expand prenatal and postpartum services through existing community health centers using a shared care model: local providers handle check-ups, while deliveries and immediate care happen at hospitals. Designed to eliminate travel barriers and missed appointments, the program leverages local resources—including mobile clinics—and aims to improve maternal and infant outcomes. No new hospital units will be…