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Date Available

4-24-2026

Year of Publication

2026

Document Type

Graduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

College

Public Health

Department/School/Program

Public Health

Faculty

Paula Arnett

Committee Member

Sarah Vos

Faculty

Min-Woong Sohn

Abstract

Maternal and infant health disparities in Hardin County, Kentucky, reflect persistent gaps in timely access to care, particularly among rural and underserved populations. Structural barriers, including transportation limitations and unmet social needs, contribute to delayed prenatal care initiation and low postpartum follow-up, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes. This capstone project proposes the MOMentum (Maternal Outreach and Monitoring for Mothers) Program, an integrated care model designed to strengthen access, improve care coordination, and enhance continuity across the prenatal and postpartum period.

The program combines a Community Health Worker (CHW)-led navigation model with enhanced postpartum care supported by telehealth services and remote blood pressure monitoring. This approach prioritizes early engagement, proactive follow-up, and coordinated referrals across clinical and community-based systems. Implementation will be led by the Hardin County Health Department in collaboration with healthcare and academic partners to ensure alignment with existing resources and sustainability.

Program success will be evaluated using a quasi-experimental pre-post design, with key outcomes including increased prenatal care utilization, improved postpartum visit attendance, enhanced management of maternal health conditions, and reduced disparities in care. By addressing systemic barriers and strengthening care delivery, the MOMentum Program aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes at the population level.

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