The Interviews: Rural Maternal Care, Climate Anxiety, and Shifting Birth Trends with Jessica Eckhardt

In this episode of It Takes a Village, we sit down with Jessica Eckhardt, a researcher whose work explores the intersections of maternal health, rural healthcare systems, and shifting cultural trends around parenting and birth.Jessica shares how she first became interested in women’s health and paints a candid picture of the changing landscape of maternal and infant care in rural communities. We dive into hospital closures, gaps in prenatal care, and the lingering impacts of historical misconceptions, like “female hysteria”, on modern medicine. Jessica also sheds light on why midwifery is often seen as a gold standard of care, and the promising grassroots and policy efforts working to bridge maternal health disparities.The conversation then takes a thoughtful turn toward declining birth rates and the complex web of factors influencing family planning today, from climate change anxiety to economic pressures and shifting gender norms. Jessica unpacks global parenting trends, policy strategies, and cultural changes that shape how families are built and supported in today’s world.This episode is an insightful look at where we are, how we got here, and what it will take to create a future where families and rural communities can truly thrive.Resources Mentioned:Contact Your Local Colorado OfficialsSora Midwifery Community - Home Birth & Midwife Services within 80 Miles of Salida, ColoradoThe Black Birth CollectiveGrand Junction Birth CollectiveGunnison MentorsBrothers Helping Brothers Gunny Bike BusMeal TrainGunnison Valley Humanity Posse Robert Putnam, Author Read More From Jessica:Google Scholar Search: Jessica EckhardtIntegrating Sociological Perspectives into Obesogenic ResearchRace, Environmental Inequality, and Physical Health