Access to healthcare is the key to good health. Without it, people cannot receive essential preventive screenings that could save lives or detect early symptoms of disease. Many factors impact healthcare access for rural residents, including the availability of doctors, pharmacies and hospitals, affordability of services, and ability to travel to receive care.
While access to healthcare is a global issue, there are unique challenges that rural communities face when attempting to ensure their population has adequate healthcare. Structural barriers include lack of medical professionals, long commutes to and from the doctor’s office, and limited healthcare facilities in rural areas. These barriers can result in higher rates of un- and under-insurance and more ER visits, which can cause preventable hospitalizations.
Affordability is the primary factor affecting healthcare access in rural America. The cost of healthcare is significantly higher in the United States compared to other countries with universal healthcare systems. This makes it more difficult for families in rural areas to afford essential healthcare services, such as vaccinations and routine screenings. In addition, poverty levels can lead to poor lifestyle choices that negatively impact health, such as over-indulging in high-fat fast food, smoking, drinking too much alcohol and not exercising regularly.
Other factors influencing the ability to seek healthcare include perceptions of stigma associated with certain health issues such as mental health, substance abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs/STDs). The lack of confidentiality in rural communities can also contribute to patients not seeking treatment due to feelings of embarrassment or privacy concerns. access to healthcare in rural areas