Alabama’s first-ever Mom + Baby Mobile Health Center is coming soon

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Did you know that the nonprofit March of Dimes creates a report card each year just like you’d get in school? Alabama has gotten an F on report cards for many years because of our high rates of maternal mortality, infant mortality and pre-term birth.

One way the March of Dimes is working to change this grade is through the Mom and Baby Mobile Health Center—and it’s coming this fall.

Keep reading for all you need to know.

March of Dimes

Through six prematurity research centers across the U.S., the March of Dimes conducts research to help moms of all ages, colors and financial backgrounds have healthy pregnancies from start to end.

According to the March of Dimes, for Alabama counties: 

• 58% have low or no access to maternal care. 
• 37.3% don’t have an obstetric clinician.
• 7,300 babies live in maternity care deserts. 
• 12.2% of childbearing aged women live in no access areas. 

“Our Mom and Baby Mobile Health Center aims to improve birth outcomes by addressing access to care and social drivers of health, while providing wraparound clinical and community services, like nutrition, mental health, housing and more.

The Center will facilitate partnerships across multiple sectors in order to meet women and families in their communities, minimizing barriers to accessing care.”

Ashley Toms, Executive Director, March of Dimes

Mom + Baby Mobile Health Center

To help improve maternal and infant health outcomes in our state, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) partnered with the March of Dimes to launch the first-ever Alabama Mom and Baby Mobile Health Center.

The BCBSAL-funded unit will offer support, education and health care to moms and moms-to-be in rural Alabama neighborhoods.

The unit will help close access gaps by offering care in areas such as:

• Newborn interventions
• Pre-conception
• Pregnancy
• Postpartum
• Primary + preventive

“Improving maternal and infant health outcomes across our state is a top priority. We care about giving moms access to the care they need at all stages of their pregnancy.

Our strong and innovative partnership with the March of Dimes will provide a gateway to affordable, quality healthcare.”

Sophie Martin, Director of Corporate Communications and Community Relations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

March of Dimes + Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

This partnership between the March of Dimes and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama goes back to 2021, when BCBSAL announced its commitment to reducing racial disparity in maternal care.

Through implicit bias training and working with industry partners, BCBCAL and the March of Dimes strive to create a more equitable healthcare system.

Fun fact: One-third of BCBS companies have committed to offering March of Dimes implicit bias training to their employees.

Where you can find the Mom + Baby Mobile Health Center

The mobile unit aims to launch next fall to serve the following areas and surrounding counties:

• Anniston
• Florence
• Gadsden
• Montgomery
• Selma
• Tuscaloosa

Learn more about the March of Dimes + Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama partnership and how they’re building a happier and healthier state.

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