Improved maternal and child health care access in a rural community.

Few studies have measured the extent to which expansion of health services for pregnant women and children in poor rural communities improves access to care and health status. This paper describes an underserved rural community in which health care initiatives increased access to comprehensive care. Over a three-year period, use of preventive services increased, whereas emergency room visits and hospitalizations at the community hospital decreased. Low birthweight, risk of congenital syphilis and childhood tuberculosis, and child mortality all decreased. Provision of comprehensive services was met with increased use of preventive health care and improved health outcomes in this rural community.