Muhammed F. Aljerari

Breaking Barriers: Addressing Transportation Challenges and Healthcare Access for Expectant Mothers in Impoverished Communities

Tags: health care systems health disparities mother pregnancy Transport and Relief

Access to healthcare is a critical component of health equity, yet impoverished and rural communities face significant barriers, particularly due to a lack of reliable transportation. This work explores how transportation challenges disproportionately affect access to prenatal care for pregnant women, contributing to adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Utilizing insights from various studies, this work highlights the role of social determinants of health, as defined by Healthy People 2030, in shaping healthcare accessibility and quality. Transportation barriers, tied closely to economic stability, often lead to missed appointments and untreated complications, exacerbating global healthcare burdens. Research shows that inadequate prenatal care increases risks such as preterm births and neonatal complications, disproportionately impacting low-income and marginalized populations. This issue calls for systemic interventions, including improved transportation infrastructure and affordable healthcare policies. Registered nurses play a pivotal role in addressing these disparities by advocating for patients and raising awareness about the importance of healthcare access as a social determinant. Ultimately, ensuring equitable healthcare access benefits not only women but also society as a whole by fostering healthier populations and reducing strain on healthcare systems worldwide.