Study finds about one-third of eligible FQHCs lack onsite prenatal care
A study published July 14 in Annals of Internal Medicine found that about one-third of 1,326 FQHCs operating in 2024 did not offer onsite prenatal care. Onsite care was more common at urban centers and at centers serving more Black, Hispanic, Medicaid and limited-English-proficiency patients.
Maternity care deserts often had no FQHC, or one without onsite prenatal care.
Key points
- The 1,326-center sample excluded U.S. Territories and centers serving fewer than 100 adult female patients; roughly one-third lacked onsite prenatal care.
- The study was observational, so it shows patterns and access gaps and does not prove that center traits caused the differences.
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FQHC Talent. (2026, July 14). Study finds about one-third of eligible FQHCs lack onsite prenatal care. Source: Annals of Internal Medicine. Retrieved October 27, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/fqhc-onsite-prenatal-care-gap-annals-study-july-2026