The survey, conducted online in April of 2024 among more than 1,000 U.S. women aged 18+, identified that a worrying proportion of women believe they must fight to receive the medical care they need, with more than half of women (53%) agreeing with this sentiment. Furthermore, roughly 2 in 5 women who are pregnant or have been pregnant (39%) say they experienced challenges to accessing care during pregnancy and childbirth. Access to care issues appear even more pronounced among younger women aged 18-34 (who are most likely to have recently experienced pregnancy or to be currently pregnant), women residing in the South, employed women, and mothers with children under 18.

Not being able to access such important care can negatively impact the entire pregnancy journey, from experiences to outcomes. Other findings from the survey surrounding care quality include:

• Only 42% of women who are currently pregnant/have ever been pregnant strongly feel they had access to the best possible care when they were pregnant—a significant drop from 50% in 2022.
  • Younger women are particularly affected, with less than a third in the 18-34 age group (32%) strongly feeling they received the best possible care.
• More than 1 in 10 women who have been pregnant say their prenatal care (11%), labor care (12%), and delivery care (12%) were less than adequate. About 1 in 7 (15%) say the same of their recovery care, and a whopping 1 in 4 (24%) say the same of their postpartum care.
• About 1 in 7 women who’ve been pregnant (14%) did not feel heard by their provider during their prenatal care visits.

“The data clearly show that not only are many women feeling disregarded and underserved by our healthcare system during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives, but there is also an overwhelming demand for immediate improvements to ensure the safety and well-being of all mothers in America,” said Christina Lojek, Research Manager, The Harris Poll.  “Furthermore, the results confirm that access to care and care quality issues are becoming more prevalent, and depending on which state you live in, you could be more at risk,” she stated.

Notably, two-thirds of women (67%) expressed concerns that the current political climate is exacerbating the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, and perhaps rightfully so. Women across the U.S. are demanding change – a vast majority (83%) state that more needs to be done to ensure safer pregnancy and birthing conditions in the U.S., with 45% strongly endorsing this view.

When thinking about access and quality of care in the current political environment, location matters. Looking at women who live in states with the most restrictive reproductive health policies*, they are significantly more likely than those who live in protective states to share negative experiences and sentiments surrounding pregnancy and childbirth care:

• Women in the most restrictive states are significantly more likely to feel like they have to fight to get the medical care they need than women who live in protective states (58% vs. 49%).
• Among women who are currently pregnant/have ever been pregnant:
  • Those in the most restrictive states are significantly less likely to strongly feel they had access to the best possible care when pregnant than those who live in protective states (38% vs. 50%).
  • Nearly half of those in the most restrictive states (48%) say they experienced challenges to accessing care during pregnancy and childbirth, compared to less than a third (31%) of those in protective states, and are about twice as likely to report insurance-related barriers (20% vs. 11%).
• Among women who have been pregnant:
  • Those in the most restrictive states are more than twice as likely as those in protective states to cite less than adequate prenatal (17% vs. 7%) and labor (19% vs. 9%) care.
  • Those in the most restrictive states are twice as likely to say they did not feel heard by their provider during prenatal care visits as women who live in protective states (20% vs. 9%), and more than 4 times as likely to strongly feel this way (9% vs. 2%).

In light of these findings, there is a clear call to action for healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders to take decisive measures towards reforming maternal healthcare practices and policies. Ensuring that all pregnant women have access to the highest standard of care needs to be an urgent public health priority.

*Definitions for states’ reproductive health policies were derived from Guttmacher Institute. Most restrictive states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. Protective states include Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

Survey Method:
The 2024 State of Maternal Health survey was conducted online in the U.S. by The Harris Poll April 2-4, 2024 among 2,061 U.S. adults ages 18+, among whom 1,116 are women, and 701 are women who are currently pregnant or have ever been pregnant. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact christina.lojek@harrispoll.com.

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com

Contact:
Christina Lojek
christina.lojek@harrispoll.com

Code and Theory is leading the technological revolution in B2B. The agency’s balanced team (50% creatives and 50% engineers) ensures a multidisciplinary approach to each project, blending AI, communications, design and technology from start to finish. The agency grew steadfast in its B2B partnerships with Amazon Ads, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Clover, Thomson Reuters and ETS.

Code and Theory has also recently been recognized as:

• Ad Age 2024 Business Transformation Agency of the Year
• Fast Company Design Agency of the Year Honoree
• Creative Agency of the Year at the Ace Awards
• B2B Campaign of the Year at The Drum Awards for Amazon Ads
• Gold and Bronze winners at New York Festivals for innovation, technology and data storytelling for its creation of the Big Board for NBC Universal

Plus, Code and Theory received an additional seven B2 awards for its work with Amazon Ads and Volvo Trucks. 

Code and Theory tailors technology-first, creative solutions, reducing complexity and accelerating long-term growth — all at speed and scale. In the last year, the agency delivered groundbreaking B2B solutions and impact:

• +26% in Amazon’s global ad revenues in Q3, totaling more than $12 billion (part of a larger Amazon partnership since 2021)
• +63% in qualified leads on Morgan Stanley at Work after a complete website redesign (part of a five-year partnership)
• +28% in engagement YoY on Microsoft’s Windows Commercial experience as part of an ongoing strategy, design and marketing partnership
• +350% in visitors at launch for Volvo Trucks’ new website, part of Volvo’s biggest launch in 25 years, anchored by a redesigned web experience and digital reveal
• Shaped and launched Thomson Reuters’ first global rebrand in 16 years

ANA CEO Bob Liodice says, “The ANA Masters of B2B Marketing is a celebration of the very best in B2B. Code and Theory proved that by infusing technology-first thinking into everything they create for their clients was worthy of this year’s top honors. Congratulations to them, their clients and all of this year’s winners.”

Dan Gardner, co-founder and executive chairman of Code and Theory says: “Too often, B2B marketers are focused on solving yesterday’s problems. We’re dedicated to helping solve our clients’ biggest challenges with an eye on the future and focusing on long-term value. ” 

Michael Treff, Code and Theory CEO, says: “This recognition is a huge testament to our outstanding clients and endlessly curious teams at Code and Theory who are relentless about driving impact for our clients. We are honored to be recognized, and consider our true success to be the success of our clients as they navigate the many seismic shifts happening in their businesses.”

About Code and Theory Network
Code and Theory Network is the only network with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers at scale. The technology-first group within Stagwell Group is built to partner with businesses to navigate the complexity of changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies and AI. With a global footprint and the capabilities to work across the entire consumer journey, we crave the hardest problems to solve. The network includes the flagship agency Code and Theory as well as Kettle, Mediacurrent, Rhythm and Truelogic. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, MSNBC, NFL, Pfizer and Zappos. For more, visit codeandtheory.com

About Stagwell
Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

Contact:
Kenneth Hein
kenneth.hein@codeandtheory.com

Penn’s keynote presentation on how marketers can navigate emerging technology to fuel brand growth will draw on his four decades of leadership across technology, marketing, and political organizations. As Microsoft’s former Chief Strategy Officer, Penn led a team to revitalize Bing, the company’s search engine, and conceived of and led successful initiatives like Microsoft’s award-winning Super Bowl 2014 ad “Empowering Us All.” Today, as Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, Penn has built the only global marketing services organization boasting majority digital revenue. At Stagwell, he launched the Stagwell Marketing Cloud, a suite of SaaS and DaaS solutions spanning AI-enabled research, media, PR, and advanced media products in spaces such as augmented reality.

On the Cannes main stage, Penn will discuss:

The Contrarian’s Compass: Navigating Emerging Tech Hype

Join Penn as he reveals how nonconformist thinking can help brands navigate the complex landscape of today’s tech trends and find genuine ways to innovate, avoiding the traps that hinder long-term growth. Get practical advice for incorporating emerging tech into the brand creative mix.

Cannes Lions | Rotonde Stage, Rotonde | Monday, June 17, 4:45 PM CEST

Off the Mainstage

Penn will make several other appearances at Cannes Lions, including at Stagwell’s flagship sports business destination SPORT BEACH, to speak about the future of news and the balance between data privacy and consumer empowerment:

Future of News: Why News Audiences Matter as Much as Sports Junkies

News is the future – and represents a unique and complementary platform for brands to drive business results. How are news media preparing for the next thirty-six months? A C-Suite conversation discussing the path forward and opportunities ahead for journalists, brands and news junkies. Featuring:

• Meredith Kopit-Levien, CEO, The New York Times
• Barbara Peng, CEO, Business Insider
• Mark Thompson, CEO, CNN
• Moderated by Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO, Stagwell, and Sara Fischer, Axios

SPORT BEACH | Wednesday, June 19, 12:30 PM CEST

Empowering Consumers in a Data Driven World

Join industry leaders in an exploration of data privacy, consumer expectations, and the impacts of technology innovation. Gain a deeper understanding of how to build trust and propel innovative marketing strategies within the ever-evolving digital landscape. Featuring:

• Navaneeta Das Skinner, Global Client Lead, Publicis
• Eva Simone Lihotzky, GM AI Hub, Serviceplan Group
• Mark Penn, Chairman & CEO, Stagwell
• Elaine Rodrigo, Chief Insights & Analytics Officer, Reckitt

Microsoft Beach House | Monday, June 17, 1:00 PM CEST

About Stagwell

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com

CONTACT: 
Sarah Arvizo
pr@stagwellglobal.com  

• Agency – Singapore

Agency is a Singapore-based design firm specializing in combining design and strategy to create impactful, future-oriented business solutions. These include strategic and insight-driven design solutions, user experience and impactful engagement, and change management and organisational transformation. They have been the recipient of multiple local and international accolades, including Fast Company’s Best Design Asia Pacific at the 2023 ‘Innovation by Design’ awards. Agency’s clients include Banyan Tree, Meta, Sheares Healthcare, Singapore Press Holdings and various Singapore government agencies.

“Joining the Stagwell Global Affiliate Network is a thrilling milestone for us. We are eager to collaborate within this family of dynamic companies by adding strategic design as a critical tool for creativity, to generate greater value for our clients and their customers alike.” – Lishan Soh, Co-Founder of Agency

• Arena Media – Dhaka, Bangladesh

Arena Media is a dynamic advertising agency delivering innovative, impactful solutions since 2009 across creative services, media, and public relations. With diverse capabilities that meet evolving client needs, Arena partners with local and global brands such as Audi, British Council, Renaissance Hotels, Emami, RSPL and YC.

“We are delighted to join Stagwell’s prestigious global network and look forward to fostering collaborations with people at the forefront of challenging and transforming the art and science of marketing. As Bangladesh is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, we are poised to leverage our local expertise and contribute our unique insights to enhance data-driven, culturally-relevant marketing solutions that drive business growth worldwide.” – Mazharul H. Chowdhury, Group Managing Director at Arena Media Bangladesh

• Lodestar Marketing – Bangkok, Thailand

Founded just three years ago, Lodestar Marketing continues to go from strength to strength with their regional, yet local approach. They are the leading Southeast Asia Affiliate & Partnership marketing agency, with the founders having been working in the channel since 2000. They support a number of clients across the region including Puma, Kaspersky, Allianz Insurance and many more.

“This is an extremely exciting partnership for us, giving Lodestar Marketing direct access to companies within Stagwell and vice versa to offer channel support and growth. We look forward to the opportunities to help drive additional revenue for clients within the group.” – Jesper Kauth, Managing Partner at Lodestar Marketing

• R&D Online Marketing Services – Beijing, China

R&D Online Marketing Services, founded in 2001, is a tech-forward digital agency that provides end-to-end brand storytelling and sales integration services in the social media and ecommerce domain. The team collaborates across industry sectors with brands including China Telecom, Maybelline, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft and Schwarzkopf.

“I am thrilled about our affiliate partnership with Stagwell. This collaboration allows us to leverage Stagwell’s expansive global network and innovative marketing solutions, extending our services within China and beyond. By riding this trend, we are poised to help Chinese brands venture into the overseas market, bringing their unique value propositions to a global audience. Together with Stagwell, we are committed to driving growth and success for our clients in the international arena.” – Tony Tang, Managing Partner at R&D Online Marketing Services  

“We look forward to adding Agency, Arena Media, Lodestar Marketing and R&D Online Marketing Services’ proven track record and deep local expertise to our Global Affiliate Program,” said Randy Duax, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific for Stagwell. “These four affiliates reinforce Stagwell’s commitment to elevating our clients’ businesses with agile, data-driven, and culturally relevant marketing solutions.”

Stagwell Asia is anchored by regional offices in Singapore and Malaysia, with over 25 affiliate partners in Asia. With a network of nearly 80 affiliates spanning APAC, EMEA, LATAM, and North America, Stagwell’s Global Affiliate Program cements the network’s operational reach in nearly 100 countries.

Through its Global Affiliate Program, Stagwell provides full-service capabilities worldwide, while ensuring clients receive best-in-class service and solutions tailored to their priority markets. A mutually beneficial arrangement for both Stagwell and its affiliates, the program expands the affiliate agencies’ scope of opportunity beyond their local markets while supporting Stagwell’s expansion goals.

About Stagwell

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) is the network created to transform marketing. We deliver creative performance at scale for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with cutting-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our more than 13,000 experts in more than 34 countries are united under a single purpose: to generate effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

Media contacts:

For APAC
Germaine Ong
germaine.ong@stagwellglobal.com

For U.S.
Kara Gelber
pr@stagwellglobal.com