Closing the Gap: Advancing Maternal Health Care for Refugee Women in the United States

Refugee women in the United States face persistent barriers to maternal healthcare shaped by structural, sociocultural, and individual factors. Limited healthcare resources, transportation challenges, financial constraints, and complex health systems restrict timely and effective care. Sociocultural barriers such as limited cultural humility among providers, conflicts between medical and traditional practices, and miscommunication further deepen disparities. Trauma-related mental health conditions, language barriers, and fears of discrimination also hinder care at the individual level. Arizona's Refugee Women's Health Clinic exemplifies an effective, culturally grounded model for meeting refugee women's maternal health needs. Strong community networks, culturally responsive services, and targeted policy interventions serve as key facilitators to improve access. Recent policy shifts may further shape access to prenatal and postpartum care for lawfully present refugees and asylees. To close existing gaps, this commentary calls for extending Medicaid coverage beyond initial resettlement, strengthening provider cultural humility, investing in community-based infrastructure, and ensuring sustainable funding for community health workers. Advancing these strategies will promote equitable, culturally informed maternal care and improve outcomes for refugee women nationwide.