Social Determinants of Health: How Wanda Improves Outcomes via Reliable Transportation
Welcome back to our quarterly Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) articles, where we feature MTM Health’s latest initiatives aimed at addressing social determinants for our members and clients nationwide. This quarter, our Director of Healthcare Operations Chris Jenkins highlights how MTM Health’s affiliate service Wanda improves SDOH outcomes by connecting seniors and people with disabilities to their communities via reliable transportation.
The Need for Reliable Transportation
Access to safe and reliable transportation is a crucial need for many seniors and people with disabilities. While doctor appointments are often a primary concern, transportation plays a much larger role in daily lives. The ability to attend community events, visit friends, or simply leave the house contributes significantly to an individual’s wellbeing. Independence and mobility are key factors in maintaining quality of life—which is why MTM Health and Wanda are committed to ensuring seniors and people with disabilities have access to the transportation resources they need.
Leveraging Transportation to Address Social Determinants of Health
Recognizing and addressing SDOH is essential in reducing health disparities and improving overall wellbeing. Transportation is a critical social determinant that directly impacts one’s ability to engage with their community, maintain social connections, and access necessary services. By removing transportation barriers, individuals have a better chance of achieving their personal goals and maintaining their independence.
Wanda offers a solution to one of the biggest challenges faced by seniors, people with disabilities, and their family caregivers—finding reliable transportation. Often, adult children or other caregivers struggle to coordinate rides for their aging loved ones. Wanda simplifies this process by providing an easy-to-use platform that connects families with vetted transportation providers, including those with wheelchair accessible vehicles. This ensures that seniors and people with disabilities can move freely and safely while maintaining their independence at home.
Expanding Wanda to Meet Growing Needs
The expansion of Wanda aligns with MTM Health’s broader growth and transformation. Over the past 30 years, MTM Health has evolved beyond our initial focus on non-emergency medical transportation to address a wider range of mobility challenges. Wanda is a crucial part of this evolution, leveraging our expertise to fill a significant gap in private pay transportation services.
Since its launch in Phoenix in March 2024, Wanda has rapidly expanded—reaching Tucson in late summer 2024 and now serving the St. Louis metro area as of February 2025. This growth allows MTM Health to support more seniors and caregivers by providing a reliable transportation solution that enhances their daily lives.
As Wanda continues to expand, our focus remains on growing our customer base in each market and identifying new areas where our services can make a meaningful impact. By addressing transportation as a key SDOH, Wanda is helping seniors and people with disabilities maintain their independence, stay connected, and live fulfilling lives. With expansion into a key market, more individuals and caregivers gain access to the freedom and flexibility they deserve.
Are you a senior, person with a disability, or caregiver looking for a reliable transportation solution? Check out Wanda and book your first ride today!
