A new analysis from Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families highlights a troubling shift in prenatal care access across the United States. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that fewer pregnant people are receiving care early in pregnancy, while those receiving late – or no – prenatal care is rising. Between 2021 and 2024, the share of women receiving prenatal care in the first trimester fell from 78% to 75%, reversing years of progress.
The data also reveal persistent disparities. Early prenatal care rates remain significantly lower among Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander mothers compared to white and Asian mothers. Access to health coverage is essential, but the Georgetown researchers emphasize that coverage alone is not enough; health systems must ensure pregnant people can actually obtain timely care.
Early prenatal care is critical for healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Understanding why access is declining – and what states and health systems can do to reverse the trend – is key to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
For a deeper dive into the data and what it means for maternal and infant health, read the full analysis, “Prenatal Care: The Silent Maternal Health Emergency Hidden in New CDC Data,” by Tanesha Mondestin and Aubrianna Osorio from Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.
