Mobile health units are bringing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services directly to neighborhoods that lack access to traditional clinics, with Michigan's program delivering nearly 130,000 services since 2020. These traveling clinics offer STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing, contraceptive services, pregnancy testing, and other reproductive care at no cost in communities where health disparities have historically left residents without preventive options.

What Sexual Health Services Are Available on Mobile Units?

Michigan's MI Mobile Health Units, operating in five counties through a partnership between the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Mobile Health Corps, provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services alongside other preventive care. These services address multiple aspects of sexual wellness and disease prevention that many underserved populations struggle to access.

• STI Testing and Treatment: Comprehensive screening for sexually transmitted infections, a critical preventive service that helps catch infections early before they cause serious complications.
• Contraceptive Services: Access to birth control options and family planning counseling, enabling people to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
• Pregnancy Testing and Care: Early detection and connection to prenatal services for pregnant individuals, supporting healthy pregnancies from the start.
• PrEP Treatment and Labs: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, along with necessary laboratory work to monitor treatment effectiveness.
• Pap Smears: Cervical cancer screening for people with cervixes, a critical preventive health measure.

The mobile units also provide immunizations, chronic disease management, mental health services, and wraparound support that connects patients to primary care providers and social services like food and housing assistance. This integrated approach recognizes that sexual health doesn't exist in isolation; it's connected to overall wellness, housing stability, and access to medical care.

Why Are Mobile Units Effective at Reaching People Who Need Sexual Health Care?

Traditional health clinics often fail to serve people in underserved neighborhoods due to transportation barriers, limited hours, or lack of trust in the health system. Mobile units eliminate these obstacles by bringing care directly to where people live, work, and gather. Since launching in 2020, Michigan's 20 mobile units have held more than 2,000 community events per year across the state.

The Ingham County Mobile Health Unit exemplifies this impact. The unit has held 123 community events and is on track to provide screenings, vaccines, and medical consultations to 1,000 people this year who would otherwise lack preventative care. Community health workers (CHWs) embedded in these units don't just provide medical services; they build trust and help patients navigate complex social systems.

"Our street outreach services are designed to reduce ER visits and hospitalizations and provide cost-effective access points before issues become life-threatening or debilitating. Our team of providers and partners and our participants have created systems of care, trust and mutual respect that are expanding access to quality care," said Jessica Yorko, Ingham County Health Department division director for health promotion and prevention.

Jessica Yorko, Division Director for Health Promotion and Prevention, Ingham County Health Department

This trust-building is essential for sexual health services specifically. Many people in marginalized communities have experienced discrimination or judgment from health providers, making them hesitant to seek care. Mobile units staffed by community members who understand local culture and barriers can overcome this resistance.

How Do These Programs Address Health Disparities?

Health disparities in sexual health are significant. Certain communities face higher rates of STIs, unintended pregnancies, and limited access to contraception due to systemic inequities. Mobile health units directly address these disparities by removing barriers to care. The MDHHS director emphasized this mission during recent visits to mobile units and neighborhood wellness centers, stating that these programs are key to the department's priority of "addressing health disparities and expanding access to affordable health care".

The model also extends beyond sexual health. Neighborhood Wellness Centers, which evolved from COVID-19 testing sites, now offer comprehensive preventive care including blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer, and diabetes screening at no cost. More than half of participants who had their blood pressure checked discovered they had high blood pressure, and approximately three out of 10 individuals screened for diabetes received a prediabetes or diabetes diagnosis. This demonstrates how accessible screening in trusted community spaces can identify health issues early.

Community health workers provide crucial support beyond medical services. At one Neighborhood Wellness Center, CHW support was the most requested service, with transportation, home utilities, and daily living support being the top needs. This wraparound approach recognizes that sexual health and reproductive wellness are intertwined with basic needs like housing and transportation.

What Does Success Look Like for Sexual Health Equity?

The Bahamas offers an international example of what comprehensive sexual health infrastructure can achieve. The country was recently certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, joining only 12 other countries and territories in the Americas to achieve this milestone. This success didn't happen by accident; it required deliberate policy choices and integrated care systems.

The Bahamas achieved this by ensuring universal antenatal care to all pregnant women, regardless of nationality or legal status, across both public and private facilities. The health system implemented rigorous testing protocols that screen women at their first antenatal appointment and again in the third trimester. Critically, the country integrated HIV prevention and treatment services with family planning, STI treatment, and reproductive health care.

"By ensuring that children are born free of HIV, we are securing a healthier, brighter future for the next generation," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

The Bahamas' approach included offering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention to pregnant women, multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral medicines, and free STI treatment and family planning services. This integrated model shows that sexual health, reproductive health, and maternal health are inseparable from a public health perspective.

Michigan's mobile health units and neighborhood wellness centers represent a similar commitment to integration and accessibility. By bringing sexual health services like STI testing, contraception, and pregnancy care directly to underserved communities, these programs work to prevent health crises before they occur. The data shows the approach works: nearly 130,000 services delivered since 2020 represent real people who received preventive care they might not have otherwise accessed.

For individuals concerned about sexual health, the key takeaway is clear: if you live in an area served by a mobile health unit or neighborhood wellness center, these services are available at no cost and without judgment. Sexual health is preventive health, and accessible screening and treatment protect not just individual wellness but community health as a whole.