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Getting to medical appointments can be a major challenge for many people, especially those living in underserved communities. Transportation barriers often prevent women from getting important screenings like mammograms or joining research studies that can improve care. This study explored how a free rideshare program helped Hispanic women participate in a breast cancer screening trial—and what’s needed to keep programs like this going for the long term.
About the Study
This study looked at a free rideshare program that helped Hispanic women get to their breast cancer screening appointments and participate in a large research study called the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST). Many women face transportation challenges that make it difficult to access health care or join research studies. The rideshare program was designed to remove that barrier—but researchers wanted to know how well such a program could last over time.
How the Study Works
The program was a collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Adelante Healthcare, a federally qualified health center that serves mostly Hispanic and underinsured patients. Eligible women were offered free rides to their breast cancer screening study appointments through a rideshare service.
To assess the program’s sustainability, researchers surveyed and interviewed staff from both organizations using a structured tool that looked at eight key areas—such as funding, partnerships, communication, and planning—to understand what helps or hinders keeping programs like this running.
Key Findings
- Strong community partnerships and champions: The program thrived because dedicated staff and leaders believed in its mission and worked together across organizations.
- Challenges with long-term funding: The biggest barrier was a lack of stable funding once initial support ended. Both sites agreed that without ongoing funds, the program could not continue at the same scale.
- Need for more strategic planning: While there was strong enthusiasm, there wasn’t a long-term plan for keeping the rideshare program going or expanding it.
- Communication and adaptation: Staff communicated well during the study and were able to adjust how the program ran to better serve participants (for example, adding bilingual staff and tracking rides in real time).
- High community support: Both organizations valued the program and saw how it helped more women take part in screenings and research.
Community Impact
This study highlights how something as simple as providing transportation can make a big difference in addressing differences in health outcomes. By helping Hispanic women access breast cancer screenings and participate in research, the rideshare program helped close gaps in care and representation.
However, for such programs to last, health systems need consistent funding, leadership support, and strategic planning. Strong community collaborations—like the one between Mayo Clinic and Adelante Healthcare—are key to ensuring that understudied populations can continue benefiting from programs that save lives.
Researcher: Jessica D. Austin, PhD, MPH
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