Two-thirds of Iowa counties lack access to OB-GYN and birth services

Hunter
11/10/22

New data from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says that Iowa has the fewest number of OB-GYN specialists per capita of any state in the country.

The Daily Iowan reports that 66 of Iowa’s 99 counties lack access to OBGYN and birth services.

Kim Hunter, the interim Chief Executive Officer for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics told the state Board of Regents that it’s only getting worse. She cited an Iowa Department of Public Health report showing that there are approximately 3.3 OBGYN providers per 10,000 women of reproductive age in Iowa, compared with the national average of about four and a half.

Hunter said that the drop in access is even more concerning considering that the number of births in Iowa is increasing.

UI Hospitals and Clinics is opening a two-year nurse-midwifery program next year, accepting four nurses to go through the first class. Once they complete the program, the nurses will be able to supplement the OBGYN shortages.

The number of students in future years will be determined by interest level.