Mobile reproductive health clinics
Mobile reproductive health clinics are medically equipped vans with clinicians that offer reproductive health services, such as pregnancy tests, prenatal and postpartum care, gynecological exams, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings, health education, and referrals to social services. Vans can include a waiting room, private exam areas, an education area, and a laboratory, as well as monitors, diagnostic equipment, and educational materials1. Vans sometimes offer screening and referral services for health concerns outside reproductive health2. Mobile clinics typically serve vulnerable populations, such as low income or uninsured individuals, in both urban and rural areas. Clinics may partner with hospitals, health care systems, or public health departments3.
What could this strategy improve?
Expected Benefits
Our evidence rating is based on the likelihood of achieving these outcomes:
Improved prenatal care
Potential Benefits
Our evidence rating is not based on these outcomes, but these benefits may also be possible:
Reduced preterm birth
Improved reproductive health
What does the research say about effectiveness?
There is some evidence that mobile reproductive health clinics increase initiation of prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy; increases have been demonstrated among Hispanic immigrants living in urban areas1, 4. However, additional research is needed to confirm effects and determine effects for other populations.
A Florida-based study suggests mobile reproductive clinic patients are more likely to receive adequate prenatal care and less likely to deliver their babies preterm than mothers who receive care at other clinics1. However, a California-based study suggests mothers are equally likely to receive adequate prenatal care through mobile clinics and other clinics4. Offering reproductive health care in mobile clinics may remove barriers to providing reproductive care for adolescents, including distribution of birth control and sexual health education5.
Mobile health clinics can reach a variety of vulnerable populations6, 7, including immigrants1, 4, 8, individuals with substance abuse issues8, and other high risk groups9.
Mobile health clinics cost an average of $429,000 per year to operate. The average return on investment for mobile health clinics is estimated to be 12 to 13.
How could this strategy impact health disparities? This strategy is rated likely to decrease disparities.
Implementation Examples
Implementation Resources
MHM - Mobile health map (MHM). Mobile clinic impact tracker.
Footnotes
* Journal subscription may be required for access.
1 O’Connell 2010 - O’Connell E, Zhang G, Leguen F, Prince J. Impact of a mobile van on prenatal care utilization and birth outcomes in Miami-Dade County. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2010;14(4):528-534.
2 AHRQ HCIE-Bennett - Bennett J. Mobile clinic delivers culturally competent services to underserved neighborhoods, leading to identification of untreated chronic conditions, better blood pressure control, and significant return on investment. Rockville: AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange.
3 MHM - Mobile health map (MHM). Mobile clinic impact tracker.
4 Edgerley 2007 - Edgerley LP, El-Sayed YY, Druzin ML, Kiernan M, Daniels KI. Use of a community mobile health van to increase early access to prenatal care. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2007;11(3):235-239.
5 Stefansson 2018 - Stefansson LS, Webb ME, Hebert LE, Masinter L, Gilliam ML. MOBILE-izing adolescent sexual and reproductive health care: A pilot study using a mobile health unit in Chicago. Journal of School Health. 2018;88(3):208-216.
6 Yu 2017 - Yu SWY, Hill C, Ricks ML, Bennet J, Oriol NE. The scope and impact of mobile health clinics in the United States: A literature review. International Journal for Equity in Health. 2017;16:178.
7 Hill 2014a - Hill CF, Powers BW, Jain SH, et al. Mobile health clinics in the era of reform. The American Journal of Managed Care. 2014;20(3):261-264.
8 Gibson 2017 - Gibson BA, Morano JP, Walton MR, et al. Innovative program delivery and determinants of frequent visitation to a mobile medical clinic in an urban setting. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 2017;28(2):643-662.
9 Martin 2014 - Martin CE, Terplan M, Han J, Chaulk P, Serio-Chapman C. Contraception continuation among female exotic dancers seeking mobile reproductive health services concurrent with syringe exchange. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2014;140:e135.
10 Family Van - The Family Van. Promoting healthy communities in Boston since 1992.
11 CHN-Mobile - Community Healthcare Network. Medical mobile van.
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