CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Atrium Health announced it's expanding its mobile services and fleet of mobile medical units to serve its communities in need.
In a news release, the healthcare provider said the "Drive to Thrive" initiative is one of the nation’s first mobile units dedicated solely to women’s health care.
“Throughout my 30-year career as an OB-GYN, I have witnessed, firsthand, the effects women and their unborn babies face when patients do not receive timely prenatal care,” Dr. Suzanna Fox, deputy chief physician executive and women’s health care service line leader for Atrium Health, said. “Transportation challenges, language barriers and lack of insurance cause many women in underserved communities to delay care or forgo it altogether.”
According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause, than white women.
The mobile unit is looking to help eliminate disparities within maternal health care. For some expectant mothers, it's a matter of life or death.
“The reason that people don’t ultimately come to see us is because there is a lack in health care and lack of trust in health care," Dr. Fox said.
She says one of the main goals of the new mobile unit is to build that trust. It also aims to decrease maternal mortality rates by bringing care to underserved communities that need it most.
“The purpose of this bus is really to make sure that we don’t have any disparities in care, that we are able to make sure we go into communities, no matter the ability to pay, or color of their skin,” Dr. Fox said.
North Carolina data shows the statewide infant mortality rate is 6.8%, the 11th-highest in the nation. To prevent these deaths, doctors say preventing unintended pregnancies is crucial too.
“We want them to be able to have their babies when they’re ready," OB-GYN Dr. Todd Kopczynski said.
Meanwhile, undocumented women in North Carolina deliver more than 10,000 babies per year, with many avoiding care due to fear of deportation.
Team members include board-certified OB-GYNs, as well as Spanish-speaking advanced practice providers and social workers.
The bus will travel to several parts of the Charlotte region, including, Monroe, Huntersville, West Charlotte, and Center City.
Although appointments are not necessary, patients may call 704-468-0137 to make an appointment or request additional information about the 'Drive to Thrive' resources that are available. A website will be launching within the next few weeks.
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