Detroit is offering free rides to medical appointments for pregnant women or anyone taking care of an infant.
The "Rides to Care" program is an effort to eliminate the barrier of securing transportation to medical visits, which has been a common hindrance for many Detroiters, Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo said at Monday's announcement. The program, in partnership with Uber Health, also provides rides to postpartum visits for one year, and one year of pediatric visits for the baby.
Fair Razo called it a "major step forward" in eliminating barriers for Detroiters. Infant mortality remains high in the city, she said.
"We know that for every 1,000 babies that are born in our city, 14 babies die before their first birthday. We also know that pregnant moms who miss vital appointments, their prenatal and postpartum appointments, they miss out, and they experience adverse health outcomes because they can't get to their doctor's appointments because of reliable transportation. We know that transportation is a social determinant of health, so we are trying to ease the burden for families," Fair Razo said.
Mayor Mike Duggan, according to Fair Razo, began work to find ways to address this challenge years ago. He cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a major hindrance to Detroiters without reliable transportation getting access to necessary health care. Prior to the pandemic, Detroit's infant mortality rate dipped to 11 deaths for every 1,000 births. That's still double the national rate, which was 5.6% for 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Our pre-term birth rate is among the highest in the country, which leads to complications for the babies when they're born, and not too far after they're born," Duggan said. "We have a maternal death rate, the moms, who, in some cases, weren't healthy to start with and don't take care of themselves that is far too high. There are many factors that go into it, but nothing can change the trajectory of those numbers faster than going to see your doctor."
Dr. Lynn Smitherman, general pediatrician at Wayne Health Pediatrics said last year, 7,939 children were born in Detroit, of whom 15% were low birth weight, compared with 8.6% nationally, and 19% were born prematurely, compared with 10% nationally. She emphasized the program as a way to assist pregnant and new mothers.
"The infant mortality rate for Black infants in Detroit is three times higher than for white infants. We've got some work to do," Smitherman said. that said. "During the first year of life, we closely monitor each child's growth and development, partner with parents in promoting child safety, and caring for their children when they become ill. Last week alone, I had two newborns cancel their appointments because they didn't have transportation."
The service is available Monday through Saturday to health care providers located in the city, or within 5 miles of Detroit city limits. Rides will be tracked for safety purposes.
City Council in October approved a $650,000 contract with Uber Health to provide the transportation services until Oct. 1, 2027, city records show. Ride to Cares will expand transportation access already available through the SisterFriends program, which covers only prenatal health visits and one postpartum appointment, according to the city.
Tamia Coleman, 21, is expecting a second child and three times described the program as "amazing" because of how organized it is for her and helps get to her appointments. Coleman added that it also takes the burden out of asking someone for a ride.
"When I first got introduced to the program, I was kind of a wreck. I was struggling. I was in a shelter," Coleman said, adding that a friend told her about the program. "I don't have any support systems. My grandmother lives in Georgia, so when I got introduced to the program, it changed. You never have to worry about missing an appointment or not being on time for an appointment. It's a big help ... you kind of don't want to nowadays ask, 'Can you take me here? You don't want to rush people with their own car.'"
Anastasia Lewis, 18, is a mother to a 5-month-old girl, who donned a pink and black tracksuit Monday and fell asleep in another person's arms before the end of the announcement. Lewis has been using the service since she was seven months pregnant and has not missed an appointment.
"I feel like everybody should join it, who's struggling or just needs help, because right now, I'm only 18, and I don't have a job. I do, but it's training right now, and I don't have a car yet and I don't know how to drive," Lewis said. "But I'm going to get there. I'm not going to be one of the moms that's not gonna drive at all," adding that the service has helped ease stress.
Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: [email protected]. Follow her: @DanaAfana.