Rural Project Examples Addressing Women - Rural Health Information Hub

UAMS IDHI High-Risk Pregnancy Program
Updated/reviewed December 2022

Need: Arkansas had high rates of low birthweight babies, and pregnant individuals in rural areas had difficulty accessing specialty obstetric care.
Intervention: The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) created the Institute for Digital Health & Innovation (IDHI) High-Risk Pregnancy Program to increase access to care for pregnant individuals in an effort to improve outcomes for high-risk pregnancies.
Results: The program has increased access to care and improved neonatal outcomes for rural Arkansas individuals through a variety of programs and has been recognized by various organizations as a model program.

Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation Program (DOVE)
Updated/reviewed March 2022

Need: To reduce violence against pregnant women and women with infants in rural Missouri.
Intervention: A tool for existing home visiting programs, DOVE is a brochure-based and safety planning intervention for women experiencing interpersonal violence.
Results: Women receiving the DOVE intervention saw a larger average decrease in number of violent incidents than women in the control group.

Women to Women Online Support Network
Updated/reviewed November 2020

Need: Women living in rural areas with chronic illness often face little social support, leading to increased rates of depression and stress
Intervention: Women to Women offered rural women with chronic conditions social support networks via telecommunication
Results: WTW intervention participants experienced positive increases in self-esteem, social support, and empowerment over the control group

Perinatal Health Partners Southeast Georgia
Updated/reviewed February 2023

Need: In 12 rural southeast Georgia counties, high-risk pregnant individuals potentially face adverse birth outcomes, including maternal or infant mortality, low birthweight, very low birthweight, or other medical or developmental problems.
Intervention: An in-home nursing case management program for high-risk pregnant individuals in order to maximize pregnancy outcomes for mothers and their newborns.
Results: Mothers carry their babies longer and the babies are larger when born, leading to improved health outcomes.

Salud es Vida Cervical Cancer Education
Updated/reviewed January 2023

Need: Hispanic women have the highest incidence rates of cervical cancer among any ethnicity in the United States.
Intervention: The development of a lay health worker (promotora) curriculum that provided information on cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine to Hispanic farmworker women living in rural southern Georgia and South Carolina.
Results: Significant increases in post-test scores relating to cervical cancer knowledge and increases in positive self-efficacy among promotoras.

STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation)
Updated/reviewed January 2023

Need: To increase access to telemental health services for rural veterans, especially women, with a history of trauma.
Intervention: STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation) is a 10-week program designed to reduce PTSD and depression symptoms and increase emotional regulation and social functioning in clients.
Results: Therapists reported that clients attended more sessions when offered via teleconferencing, and clients reported satisfaction with the program.

Healthy Connections, Inc. Healthy Families Arkansas
Updated/reviewed December 2022

Need: High poverty rates and lack of access to healthcare make caring for unborn and newborn children difficult for young mothers in Arkansas's Polk and Garland Counties.
Intervention: An Arkansas-based program provides a national healthcare service to expectant and young mothers. Prenatal check-ups, education, transportation, well-baby checks and child immunizations are all provided by the Healthy Connections, Inc.
Results: The program's results demonstrate an increase in first trimester prenatal care rates and child immunization rates, as well as a dramatic decrease in confirmed cases of child abuse.

MIST: Mothers and Infants Sober Together
Updated/reviewed May 2023

Need: To address the needs of pregnant women who are using substances and infants born into drug-positive families.
Intervention: The Mothers and Infants Sober Together (MIST) program assisted mothers who used substances get treatment and provide a safe, drug-free home for themselves and their newborn.
Results: MIST has helped mothers find treatment and education and has helped children grow up in safe and healthy homes.

It's a Girl Thing: Making Proud Choices
Updated/reviewed February 2023

Need: Teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, in young girls were concerns for members of Union Parish, Louisiana.
Intervention: Union General Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital, created the program It's a Girl Thing: Making Proud Choices to teach prevention, self-confidence, and personal responsibility to teen girls.
Results: Teen pregnancy rates in Union Parish have dropped by 18%, exceeding the program's initial goal of 5%. Graduation rates have also increased the longer girls remain in the program.

Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana's Stepping Stones Program
Added February 2023

Need: Black women living with HIV in rural southeastern Louisiana face challenges in accessing care and other needed resources, often while dealing with other life stressors such as poverty, physical and mental health comorbidities, and a history of trauma.
Intervention: Implementing three evidence-informed interventions simultaneously ensures success in linking, treating, and retaining Black women in HIV care to improve health outcomes.
Results: As of February 2023, Stepping Stones has recruited 38 participants.

Rural Project Examples: Women