The program aims to address infant mortality by improving transportation access so women can more easily get prenatal care and other services.
A pilot program in Columbus, Ohio, will provide on-demand rides to pregnant women to help them get to doctor’s appointments and run errands. From July to November this year, the program will offer transportation to 500 women who are receiving Medicaid and live in neighborhoods in Columbus with the highest infant mortality rates.
"In an email to CityLab, Courtney Lynch, a professor of obstetrics at the Ohio State University who is co-leading the evaluation of the pilot, called the program 'a completely novel intervention,' designed to research whether lowering barriers to prenatal care and reducing gaps in transportation for low-income women can eventually treat the city’s darkest public health issue," reports Laura Bliss.
Bliss notes that the United States, Ohio, and Franklin County all have high infant mortality rates. In addition, the mortality rate nationally for black babies is 2.4 times that of white babies. Studies have shown that lack of access to prenatal care and stress are two factors strongly tied to infant mortality, particularly among poor and African-American women.
The $1 million of funding for the Columbus program is coming from a $50 million Smart City Challenge grant the city won from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a series of technology projects.
FULL STORY: In Columbus, Expectant Moms Will Get On-Demand Rides to the Doctor
Columbus Just Changed its 'Smart City' Plan
The original plan earned the city a highly competitive $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Columbus Zoning Changes Aimed at Increasing Housing Supply, Affordability
The Columbus city council approved 17 zoning changes that could result in over 800 new housing units.
Lessons from the Smart Columbus Pilot Program
The former program manager for Smart Columbus discusses the successes, challenges, and unexpected opportunities encountered by the city as it worked to integrate technology into city services and programs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Demise of Entertainment Industry Mirrors Demise of Housing in LA
Making movies has a lot in common with developing real estate: producers = developers; screenwriters = architects; directors = general contractors. The similarities are more than trivial. Both industries are now hurting in L.A.
How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls
Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.
Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund
The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)