Arkansas Maternal Health

Arkansas is in critical need of accessible, clear, and reliable maternal health information. One of the primary barriers women face is the lack of easily accessible resources and education about their health during infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Quick Facts:

  • Maternal Mortality Rate: Arkansas has a maternal mortality rate of approximately 47.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020.

  • Disparities in Maternal Mortality: Black women in Arkansas are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women.

  • Infant Mortality Rate: Arkansas has an infant mortality rate of 7.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021, which is higher than the national average of 5.4 per 1,000.

  • Preterm Birth Rate: Approximately 11.1% of all births in Arkansas are preterm, which is higher than the national average of around 10%.

  • Medicaid Coverage: Around 45% of births in Arkansas are covered by Medicaid, reflecting the importance of Medicaid in providing essential maternal health services to low-income women.

  • Postpartum Depression: Nationally, it’s estimated that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression, a condition that often goes unrecognized and untreated.

  • Teen Birth Rate: Arkansas has a teen birth rate (ages 15-19) of approximately 24.5 births per 1,000 females, which is higher than the national average of 16.1 births per 1,000 females.

  • Postpartum Visits: Only 60% of women in Arkansas receive a postpartum visit within the recommended 6-12 weeks after childbirth, leaving many without the critical follow-up care needed to monitor their health and recovery.

 FAQs

  • Arkansas Maternal Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing accessible, virtual support and community for women navigating motherhood, pregnancy, miscarriage, infant loss, infertility, and the postpartum period. Our goal is to foster healing and connection through expressive art, personal narratives, and evidence-based media resources.

  • Getting involved in our mission is simple and impactful. You can support our work by sharing your personal experiences and narratives, helping to build a community of shared stories that empower others. Additionally, you can contribute by helping us spread awareness of our clinically reviewed and evidence-based resources on maternal health, whether through social media, partnerships, or direct outreach. Volunteers and supporters can also assist in the development of content, advocate for policy change, or help fundraise to ensure our platform always remains accessible and impactful for all who need it.

    • Arkansas Maternal Coalition believes that neutrality in politics is essential to our ability to serve everyone in our community. However, being neutral does not mean we are passive or uninvolved. In fact, we are strong advocates for the causes and communities we serve.

    • Arkansas Maternal Coalition believes that the work we do should be focused on creating positive change through building community and addressing the need for readily accessible and accurate information—without the influence of political agendas. While we respect the diverse political beliefs of our supporters, we want our efforts to remain centered on our mission and that our resources are used to support our cause, not to promote any political ideology.

    • Remaining neutral allows us to focus on solutions rather than political division. It gives us the freedom to build a virtual community and provide accessible resources, regardless of barriers like individual political or religious backgrounds. We believe that meaningful advocacy transcends political lines and can unite people around shared values and objectives. Our work is rooted in our mission, and we advocate passionately for the causes that align with that mission, not for any one perspective.

  • Arkansas Maternal Coalition is dedicated to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equity in the field of maternal health. We recognize that every person’s experience with trying to conceive, pregnancy, infertility, childbirth, and motherhood is unique, and we are committed to ensuring that all individuals—regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or background—have access to the support and resources they need. We embrace and celebrate the diversity of those we serve, working to create an environment where every voice is heard, and every person feels valued, supported, and empowered in their maternal mental health journey.