Disparities in maternity care for disabled women in the United Kingdom

This landmark national report – published by the International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Missing Billion Initiative –  provides the first in-depth review of maternity care access, experiences, outcomes, and existing policy guidance for disabled women in the UK.

Drawing on both UK and global data, it highlights significant inequalities in maternal and neonatal outcomes for women with disabilities, including in infant mortality. It also examines key policies from leading institutions such as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to assess their inclusion of disabled women.

In addition to identifying gaps and challenges, the report outlines a set of targeted interventions to enhance maternity care and issues an urgent call to action in the UK through four strategic recommendations.