A new study in the JAMA Health Forum uses data from a Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System supplemental survey (2016-2019), which collected data from patients who attended a postpartum visit two to six months after giving birth (n=138,073). Patients were asked whether they received depression screening and
contraceptive counseling, which comprise the two postpartum care components
established by national standards. The researchers find that while Medicaid-insured
patients, rural residents, and people of color were less likely to receive the two key
components of care, the greatest differences were at the intersection of patient
characteristics, with patients with all three characteristics being the least likely to
receive recommended care. Within the two recommended components of care,
Medicaid patients were less likely to receive contraceptive counseling, while patients
of color were less likely to be screened for depression.
