Culture of Data 2025

This presentation explores the accessibility of obstetric providers in Adams County, Colorado, a rural region facing unique challenges in healthcare delivery. Access to obstetric care is a critical issue affecting maternal and child health outcomes, with disparities often exacerbated by geographic and socioeconomic factors. We analyze the spatial distribution of obstetrics services, identify barriers to care, and examine how social determinants of health, such as income, transportation, and education, influence access to prenatal and postnatal care in Adams County. Specifically, in our analysis we looked at the distribution of live births, women of reproductive age, and birth rates across Adams County, identifying where there was the most need for obstetric care. Additionally, we looked at birth outcomes, including low birth weight, prenatal care, forms of payment, and maternal morbidity conditions among births from 2021 to 2023. We also conducted a drive-time analysis at 15-, 30-, and 60-minute intervals, identifying areas of Adams County with decreased obstetric care access.

By leveraging geographic information systems (GIS), patient demographics, birth outcomes, and service availability data, this presentation highlights significant gaps in obstetric care access and its impact on maternal and child health outcomes. These findings identify disparities in access to care among rural populations in Adams County, underscoring the need for data-driven strategies to be integrated into policy and healthcare planning.

This presentation demonstrates how data can be utilized to address the social determinants of health that affect maternal and child care. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the intersection of rural healthcare, social determinants, and data science, empowering them to apply these findings in their own communities to foster more just and accessible healthcare systems.