An expanding population can put a strain on essential services, such as medical care. For the past few years, area hospitals and the Northwest Arkansas Council have been identifying gaps in care. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is working to establish more robust services to fill some of those gaps, including a new midwifery program.

Arkansas’ maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the country. Ingeborg Initiatives, based in Bentonville, wants to change that narrative.