Mobile Clinics Bridge Maternity Care Gap in Florida & US Deserts

The landscape of maternity care in the United States is shifting, and not for the better. Across vast stretches of rural America, and increasingly in some urban areas, access to obstetric care is dwindling, creating what are known as “maternity care deserts.” These are counties without hospital obstetric units, birthing centers, or even a single obstetric provider. But innovative solutions are emerging, and one promising approach involves bringing the care directly to the patients – via mobile clinics.

A recent report highlighted the stark reality in north-central Florida, where only three of fourteen counties offer full access to obstetric care. Six counties are classified as having low access, and five are designated as maternity care deserts, leaving approximately 3,400 women of childbearing age with limited options for prenatal and postpartum care. This situation isn’t unique to Florida. Nationally, around 2.5 million American women of childbearing age – nearly 4% – live in maternity care deserts, according to data from the March of Dimes.

The Rise of Mobile Maternity Care

The closure of obstetric units, particularly in rural hospitals, is a major driver of this crisis. Over the past decade, hundreds of units have shuttered, often due to financial constraints. In Florida alone, eighteen of twenty-one rural hospitals have discontinued obstetric care as of 2024. This leaves many women facing long distances – an average of 35 miles in maternity care deserts, compared to 9 miles in areas with full access – to reach a birthing hospital.

To address this growing gap, the University of Florida established the OB/GYN Mobile Outreach Clinic in February 2025. This retrofitted bus provides a comprehensive range of maternal health services, including prenatal and postpartum care, breastfeeding support, family planning, gynecological exams, and preventative screenings. While the mobile clinic doesn’t offer delivery services, it aims to fill a critical need for accessible, consistent care. By the end of 2025, the clinic had already provided care to 194 women across 616 visits.

How the Mobile Clinic Model Works

The University of Florida’s mobile clinic operates twice weekly at consistent locations in Alachua, Columbia, Levy, and Gilchrist counties. These sites – family resource centers, churches, and public libraries – were chosen for their accessibility and trust within the target communities. Appointments are available on a walk-in basis or can be scheduled, with wait times significantly shorter than traditional clinics. A key feature of the clinic is the extended appointment times, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, allowing providers to address not only medical needs but likewise social determinants of health like transportation barriers, food insecurity, and housing concerns.

The clinic is equipped with two exam rooms, an ultrasound machine, and supplies for on-site serum and urine testing. A small dispensary provides prenatal vitamins and medications for common conditions like vaginitis or urinary tract infections, reducing the burden of additional pharmacy visits. Care is provided free of charge, and the team assists patients in applying for Medicaid or other health insurance programs, recognizing that approximately 1 in 7 women of childbearing age in Florida were uninsured in 2023.

A Team-Based Approach to Care

The mobile clinic’s success hinges on its multidisciplinary team, led by nurse midwives and including a physician assistant, certified nurse-midwives, nurses, a nurse practitioner, a lactation consultant, medical assistants, and *promotoras* – community health workers who serve as peer educators and patient liaisons in Hispanic communities. Maternal-fetal medicine physicians remotely review ultrasound images, ensuring a high level of expertise. This collaborative approach allows for holistic, patient-centered care, even within the constraints of a mobile setting.

Mobile Clinics: A Growing Trend

The University of Florida’s initiative is part of a broader trend. Currently, there are approximately 3,600 mobile health clinics operating across the United States, with 1,319 tracked through the Mobile Health Map. These clinics offer a wide range of services, from disaster relief and mental health care to mammography and dental care. They are particularly focused on reaching low-income and uninsured populations. Studies have shown that mobile clinics can improve health outcomes by delivering regular care to those who would otherwise lack access. A study of 811 mobile clinics found that 36% of patients treated between 2007 and 2017 were from rural areas, 38% were homeless, 55% were low income, and 56% were uninsured.

Challenges and Future Directions

While mobile clinics offer a promising solution, they are not without challenges. They are not equipped to handle emergent complications, complex medical procedures, or labor and delivery. Staffing can also be a hurdle, requiring healthcare professionals willing to embrace the unique demands of mobile care. Perhaps the biggest challenge is funding, as these clinics typically rely on grants and donations to provide free services. Changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace could further exacerbate access issues, increasing the need for mobile health solutions.

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits are significant. The University of Florida’s experience, along with similar initiatives like the University of Arizona Mobile Health Program, demonstrates that mobile clinics can effectively reach underserved communities and improve maternal health outcomes. As awareness grows and support increases, this model could play a crucial role in addressing the growing crisis of maternity care deserts across the United States. The hope is that continued demonstration of positive impact will lead to expanded funding and wider adoption of this innovative approach to healthcare delivery.