Access to maternal health and midwifery for vulnerable social groups in the EU

This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the FEMM Committee examines issues related to access of vulnerable social groups to maternal health care services and midwifery in the EU. As the study points out, this access is affected by the interplay of health systems, law, policies, socio-economic factors and attitudes of health professionals and users which leads to barriers to access and consequently to worse health outcomes for those women, as evidence demonstrates. This study critically discusses the issues, analyses the causes, surveys the literature for best practices and makes policy recommendations, aiming at improving the situation for vulnerable women and contributing to reduction of health inequalities.