by Pearl McElfish, Guest Commentary, Arkansas Advocate
May 7, 2025

Far too many women and children have lost their lives due to the maternal health crisis in our state. In 2022, Arkansas had one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the country and the third-highest infant mortality rate in the nation.

In a groundbreaking approach to improving care access, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) operates mobile health units that serve as direct access points for women’s health, maternal care and contraceptive services across rural Arkansas. By taking these resources directly to patients, mobile health units eliminate common barriers such as distance, cost and availability, creating a bridge to necessary services.

Rural and low-income communities across Arkansas face a unique health care crisis. Due to limited access to health care facilities, particularly for women’s health services like pap smears, breast exams and access to contraceptives, many women in these rural areas are not receiving preventive care, reproductive health guidance or family planning resources. Similarly, parental care is not available in more than half of the counties in Arkansas that are identified as maternal deserts.

Obstacles like transportation, language and high costs perpetuate health disparities for many Arkansans. The accessibility of mobile health units yields measurable results. Data from a 20-year study shows that patients who initially receive care through mobile clinics report greater confidence in navigating medical systems, often resulting in more consistent follow-ups and a proactive approach to personal health management. 

UAMS’ mobile health units provide an invaluable service to these communities and offer a unique opportunity to expand Arkansas’ reach to some of its most underserved residents. This is a life-changing service for many who live miles away from the nearest clinic and a critical means of improving health outcomes for women statewide.

Every woman’s health visit at UAMS begins with a fundamental question known as the “One Key Question”: “Do you plan to get pregnant within a year?” Part of a nationwide protocol, this question encourages open dialogue about reproductive health needs, allowing health care providers to tailor care based on the patient’s immediate needs. 

UAMS is in the process of deploying units to underserved areas across the state to offer a full range of contraceptives directly on-site, increasing the likelihood of patients accessing and continuing their contraceptive method of choice.

But the work doesn’t stop there. 

Training regional resident doctors is essential for sustaining these services long-term. UAMS trains family medicine residents annually with patient-centered counseling skills in all FDA-approved contraceptive methods and clinical training in Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) insertion and the “One Key Question” protocol.

These tools are invaluable for new physicians who will continue to offer these critical services, especially in Arkansas’ underserved areas. Additionally, training in obstetrics and pediatric rotations will help ensure residents are well-prepared to integrate these practices into their medical careers.

As Dr. Kay Chandler, Arkansas’ surgeon general and a practicing OB-GYN, recently emphasized, a focus on obstetrics care, contraceptive access and women’s health is crucial for our state to thrive. Ensuring women have the resources they need to safely carry their pregnancy to term, plan their families thoughtfully and receive essential preventive care is a crucial step toward addressing the glaring health disparities that persist across Arkansas. Over the last few months, Arkansas has made real progress in addressing these disparities through the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, the Arkansas Community Health Worker Act, and other new laws that expand coverage for women during and after pregnancy. 

At the Institute for Community Health Innovation, we’re proud to be a part of these initiatives and to reach women where they are through our mobile health programs. Our mobile health initiative embodies a vision of health care for all by delivering services, building trust and setting the groundwork for healthier families and communities. These mobile clinics are not just treating patients; they’re connecting rural women to life-saving resources and helping Arkansas take a definitive step toward better maternal health outcomes. 

With more than half of all maternal deaths considered preventable, we owe it to our communities to eliminate obstacles to women’s health services.

By bringing resources directly to women, enhancing prenatal and obstetric care in rural areas and educating women about reproductive health, Arkansas is taking a powerful step toward changing its dismal maternal health outcomes. These efforts lay a critical foundation for healthier families, more equitable health care access and a future where Arkansas is known for its commitment to the well-being of all its residents.

Visit communityhealth.uams.edu to see when a mobile health unit will be in your area. 

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com.

The post Arkansas takes powerful steps to change dismal health outcomes with mobile health units appeared first on arkansasadvocate.com

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article presents a neutral, fact-based discussion of Arkansas’ maternal health crisis and the efforts made to address it through mobile health units and other initiatives. It emphasizes the importance of healthcare access for women in rural areas, particularly regarding maternal care, contraceptives, and family planning. The tone and language are geared toward presenting solutions and factual information without expressing a strong ideological perspective. While the focus is on improving healthcare outcomes, there is no overt political bias or advocacy for a specific political stance in the reporting. The article adheres to a neutral, informative approach.