Effectiveness of Mobile Health Units as an Adjunct to Primary Care Preventive Services in Rural America: A Systematic Review
Emma M Guay, Sage E Stockton, Abigail Mitchell.
Traditional clinic-based models often fall short of meeting the needs of rural populations, leading to lower screening rates and delayed diagnoses. Mobile health units, customized vehicles equipped to deliver healthcare services, have emerged as a promising strategy to bridge this gap by bringing care directly to communities. This rapid literature review explores how mobile health units can augment primary care delivery and improve health outcomes in remote regions by examining their impact on screening rates, early disease detection, utilization of preventive services, cost effectiveness, and ability to address rural-specific barriers. Findings indicate that mobile health units are a cost-effective and culturally responsive model associated with improved screening rates, increased early disease detection, and greater utilization of preventive services. Their success relies on policy support for equitable reimbursement, expanded scope of practice for advanced practice nurses, and continued investment in mobile infrastructure.
View pdf