BGSU study aims to improve infant health in Ohio by addressing transportation barriers

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4. BGSU study aims to improve infant health in Ohio by addressing transportation barriers

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - As Ohio's infant mortality rate continues to rank among the worst in the nation, Bowling Green State University researchers are exploring how removing transportation barriers for new and expectant mothers could improve newborn health.

In partnership with ProMedica and the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio, the BGSU Center for Regional Development will examine the experiences of Toledo-area mothers with access to transportation for appointments and visits with healthcare providers.

Supported by a $250,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the study has the potential to shape policies statewide.

"We know causes of infant mortality are complex and multifaceted, from policy structures to institutional and individual decisions made by healthcare providers and patients," said Dr. Justin Rex, an associate professor in the BGSU Department of Political Science and research fellow with the CRD. "We also know from previous research that a major social determinant of health is reliable access to transportation."

Rex and Dr. Nichole Fifer, director of the BGSU CRD, are leading their third study on improving infant vitality. In previous studies, mothers and healthcare providers cited transportation as a significant barrier to accessing proper medical care.

In their new study, one group of mothers will receive a $200 monthly gift card for Lyft. Another group will receive a cash benefit in the same amount as the rideshare gift card.

Rex said the BGSU study could contribute valuable data to better understand the strengths and limitations of rideshare companies' ability to address transportation needs as medical systems across the country are testing out these partnerships.

Alternatively, providing unrestricted money to mitigate the challenges of poverty has been widely documented as a successful intervention for all types of individuals, including mothers in the United States and the world.

Rex said providing one group with unrestricted funds allows the mothers to use the money for their most urgent needs, such as repairing a personal vehicle or needs unrelated to transportation.

"Knowing how these funds are used can help us identify potential unmet transportation needs as well as how transportation needs rank compared to other needs they have," Rex said.

Participants will be interviewed monthly throughout the six-month study, which is expected to conclude in the summer.

BGSU student Anna McRay, who is assisting with the research, said the project has strengthened her commitment to reducing poverty in communities through innovative strategies.

"Whether or not you have access to reliable transportation changes the freedom and power these women have over their pregnancies," McCray said. "That's why this study is so impactful. We're able to open a door, see its effect and measure it over time. This is my first research project, and I am in awe over the difference this kind of work can make in people's lives."

Ranked as the No. 1 public university in Ohio for student experience and career preparation, BGSU empowers students to maximize their education through experiential learning opportunities, including undergraduate research.