Clara Busse, PhD, MPH
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Phone: 269.779.4154
Email: busse165@umn.edu
LinkedIn: Clara on LinkedIn
Division of Health Policy and Management
University of Minnesota
2221 University Ave. SE #350
Minneapolis, MN 55414
- Current Projects - (2)
- Publications - (5)
Current Projects - (2)
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Financial Analysis of Rural Obstetric Care Hospitals
The purpose of this project is to describe the financial stability and hospital longevity of rural and urban hospitals before and after obstetric unit closure. Additionally, we will identify financial factors that contribute to decisions around obstetric service provision in rural communities in order to better understand the factors that lead to—or could prevent—obstetric unit closures.
Research centers: Rural Maternal Health Data Support and Analysis Program, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Healthcare access, Healthcare financing, Hospitals and clinics, Maternal health
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Monitoring Obstetric Unit Closures and Maintaining County-level Data on Hospital-based Obstetric Care
This project will add one year of data to our publicly-available dataset on obstetric care access. We will create an updated county-level data resource with information on hospital-based obstetric care in rural and urban counties, 2010-2024, and conduct analyses with these data.
Research center: Rural Maternal Health Data Support and Analysis Program
Topics: Health services, Healthcare access, Hospitals and clinics, Maternal health
Publications - (5)
2025
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Availability of Higher-Level Neonatal Care Services in Rural U.S. Counties, 2010-2022
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2025
The purpose of this policy brief is to show the changes in the availability of higher-level neonatal care in rural U.S. counties from 2010 to 2022, and how this availability differs by rural county type (micropolitan vs. noncore). -
Local Availability of Neonatal Intensive Care at Rural Hospitals With Childbirth Services
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2025
In this paper, researchers used survey data to better understand county and hospital-level characteristics of rural U.S. hospitals based on distance to the nearest neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). -
Financial Challenges of Providing Obstetric Services at Rural U.S. Hospitals
Journal Article
Rural Maternal Health Data Support and Analysis Program, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2025
This study uses 2021 survey data to summarize the perspectives of administrators of rural hospitals on the challenges and strategies associated with operating obstetric units under financial pressure. -
Rural/Urban Differences in Health, Health Care Use, and Barriers to Care for Postpartum and Parenting Women, 2006-2018
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2025
The goal of this analysis was to describe rural/urban differences in health, health care utilization, and barriers to care for reproductive-age females, with specific focus on those who are parents of young children (ages 1-4) and those who are postpartum (gave birth in the last year). -
Resources for Measuring Rurality in Research on Maternity Care
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2025
The primary objective of this brief is to explore the complexities inherent in defining rurality in maternal health research. In addition, this brief aims to provide insights into how different measures of rurality influence research outcomes, with the goal of informing best practices in maternal health research.