New transportation program aims to curb unusually high infant death rates in Franklin Co.

Prenatal Trip Assistance Program to Provide Transportation Services for Expecting Mothers

Columbus is launching a pilot program called Prenatal Trip Assistance (PTA), aimed at addressing infant mortality rates in the city. From June to November, 500 mothers will receive transportation to doctor appointments, pharmacy trips, and grocery runs.

Proper prenatal care continues to be an issue for expecting mothers, with transportation being a significant worry for women living in poverty. With the PTA project ,expecting mothers using non-emergency medical transportation through Medicaid benefits will be eligible for these services.

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The initiative is made possible through Smart Columbus. Winner of U.S department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge in 2016, the city was awarded $50 million in funding to help its citizens through safe mobility solutions.

Franklin County’s infant-mortality rate soars is far above the national rate. On average, 2-3 babies in Franklin County die before the age of 1 every week, according to the City of Columbus website. 

Last year, a nearly $1 million grant was given to CelebrateOne, a Columbus organization aimed at lowering infant mortality rates, to create a research program to help women in extreme poverty establish housing during their pregnancies.

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