Detroit is taking a step to address a pressing challenge for expectant mothers: reliable transportation to prenatal care appointments. For a city where nearly one-third of residents don’t own a car, and buses are often unreliable, the impact of transportation barriers is profound. This gap can make the difference between life and death, particularly for Black mothers and their babies, who are disproportionately affected by poor maternal and infant health outcomes. The Detroit Health Department recently launched the “Rides to Care” program to address these barriers head-on.
Announced Monday during a press conference at Wayne Health on Mack Avenue, the $1.2 million program provides free rides for pregnant women to access critical prenatal care. The initiative, created in partnership with Uber Health, is HIPAA-compliant and offers non-emergency medical transportation to healthcare providers located within five miles of Detroit’s borders. The program also extends its services to new mothers for up to one year after their child’s birth, ensuring consistent access to healthcare during a vital period.
“We want to give Detroit babies, moms, and families their best chance for a healthy start and to help families thrive,” said Denise Fair Razo, chief public health officer for the Detroit Health Department. Her statement underscored the urgency of the program, which began operating on a limited basis two weeks ago and is now fully available to eligible Detroit residents.
The need for such an initiative is underscored by troubling data. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 14 out of every 1,000 babies born in Detroit die before their first birthday. This is more than double the national average of 5.6 infant deaths per 1,000 births. The disparity is even greater for Black infants, who die at a rate three times higher than their white counterparts across the United States. Mayor Mike Duggan acknowledged the severity of these statistics, saying, “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. David Bryant, chief of obstetrics at Hutzel Women’s Hospital, reinforced the critical role of prenatal care in improving these outcomes. “We can’t interact in a positive way with our patients if they are not present,” Bryant said, emphasizing the importance of removing transportation as a barrier. He called prenatal care “absolutely critical,” highlighting that timely and consistent medical visits can significantly improve maternal and infant health.
For many Detroiters, accessing healthcare is a logistical challenge. A study from Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan found that about one-third of Detroit residents do not have access to a car. Meanwhile, the city’s bus system remains unreliable, with buses leaving on time less than 75% of the time, according to Detroit Department of Transportation data. These challenges disproportionately affect low-income residents, many of whom are Black women. Programs like “Rides to Care” aim to address these inequities by ensuring that access to care is not dependent on access to a vehicle.
The program has already made a tangible difference for mothers like 18-year-old Anastasia Lewis, a Detroit resident who began using the service during her pregnancy. “I feel like it’s very helpful for moms like me who can’t drive or don’t have a car,” Lewis said. “It’s a good village, and it’s helping everybody right now.” Lewis relied on the program when she was seven months pregnant with her daughter, Skylar Burks, and continues to use it for her postpartum healthcare needs. Before the official launch of “Rides to Care,” Lewis accessed similar support through SisterFriends, a city-sponsored volunteer initiative that assists young mothers during their first year of parenting. The rides were previously offered on a case-by-case basis but are now consistently available to all eligible participants.
The importance of extending the program to include postpartum care cannot be overstated. Dr. Lynn Smitherman, associate professor of pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine, highlighted the necessity of ongoing medical attention for mothers and babies during the first year of life. “Last week alone, I had two newborn (families) cancel their appointments because they didn’t have transportation,” Smitherman said. She noted that healthcare providers closely monitor both mothers and babies during this critical period, making it essential for families to keep their appointments.
Mayor Duggan acknowledged the broader challenges of addressing Detroit’s high infant mortality rate but stressed that access to prenatal and postpartum care is a vital starting point. While structural inequities in healthcare, economic stability, and systemic racism contribute to the stark disparities in maternal and infant health, programs like “Rides to Care” provide a targeted solution to one of the most immediate barriers: transportation.
The program is creating a system of support that allows families to thrive. Fair Razo’s comments about giving families their “best chance for a healthy start” reflect the broader goal of the initiative: to build healthier communities by addressing the root causes of poor health outcomes. By eliminating transportation barriers, the program enables mothers to prioritize their health and that of their children, setting the foundation for long-term well-being.
For healthcare providers, the program offers a critical opportunity to reach patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Dr. Bryant’s remarks about the importance of patient presence underscore the frustration many providers face when barriers like transportation prevent them from delivering care. The “Rides to Care” initiative addresses this gap, ensuring that expectant and new mothers can access the resources they need without worrying about how they’ll get there.
For Detroit families, the program’s impact is already being felt. Lewis’s story is a testament to the difference this initiative can make in the lives of young mothers navigating the challenges of parenthood. By providing reliable transportation to medical appointments, the program removes a significant source of stress for mothers like Lewis, allowing them to focus on their health and their children’s well-being.
The stakes for programs like “Rides to Care” are high. With Black infants dying at three times the rate of white infants and Detroit’s overall infant mortality rate more than double the national average, addressing these disparities requires bold and targeted action. While there is no single solution to these complex challenges, initiatives like this one represent an important step toward health equity in Detroit.
As the program continues to expand, its success will depend on sustained investment and community support. The Detroit Health Department’s partnership with Uber Health demonstrates how public and private sectors can collaborate to address systemic issues. By prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations, the program sends a clear message: access to healthcare is not a privilege—it’s a right.
For many Detroiters, the “Rides to Care” program is a lifeline that connects them to critical healthcare and a broader network of support. As Lewis said, “It’s a good village, and it’s helping everybody right now.” Her words reflect the spirit of the initiative, which aims to build a healthier and more equitable future for Detroit families. By removing transportation barriers, the city is not only limited to addressing a logistical challenge—it’s investing in the lives of its mothers and children. For a city with so much at stake, programs like “Rides to Care” are a reminder that progress starts with meeting people where they are.
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