Why medical deserts are on the rise—and how patients there are accessing in-person care
Twenty-one percent of adults without access to a vehicle or public transit went without needed medical care in 2022. It's a sobering stat that points at a real problem: Unlike online shopping or dinner delivery, people need to get to health care to actually receive it. This is trickier in regions where essential medical services are hard to reach, often called "medical deserts." In these areas, even routine medical visits can become ordeals.
Take the simple act of picking up a prescription. For many of us, that requires only a quick drive (or even walk): A majority of Americans live within two miles of a pharmacy. But the U.S. has seen a 15% decline in retail pharmacies since 2021, leaving many communities without easy, convenient access to medications, Lyft explains.
Data from GoodRX suggests that in 40% of counties, residents have to travel over 15 minutes to get to nearby pharmacies—but it's in the rural states of North Dakota, Alaska, and Montana, and the more urban states of Texas and Georgia—where riders have to travel the farthest. The situation is particularly striking in Apache County, Arizona; Woodford County, Illinois; and Delaware County, New York—which are the three largest counties where 100% of residents live in pharmacy deserts.
Long pharmacy rides were generally more common in rural counties, with under 50 people per square mile. Among high-density counties, pharmacy deserts are 30% more likely to occur in counties with a higher share of African American residents.
Pharmacies are only part of the problem—there are also disparities in access to medical care. The average American lives roughly 5 miles away from a hospital, and many have to travel over 10 miles for routine health care visits. This distance is not just an inconvenience: Living far from a medical facility is associated with fewer visits to a primary care physician and worse outcomes for patients with cancer and chronic conditions.
GoodRX data suggests that across the U.S., 20% of counties are hospital deserts, where the closest hospital is generally over 30 minutes away. These rates are twice as high in Alaska, North Dakota, and Missouri, and there are several counties where all residents have to travel over 30 miles to get to a hospital–those with populations over 38,000 include Valencia County, New Mexico; Webster County, Missouri; and Kendall County, Texas.
While health deserts have long been a problem in the U.S., rideshare is helping to cross them. Visits to and from health care facilities have emerged as a major use case for rideshare services, with 26% of riders in a recent Lyft survey reporting using rideshares to access health care services.
To meet the demand for convenient and reliable transportation in these medical care deserts, thousands of hospitals partner directly with rideshare companies, some of which are authorized as non-emergency medical transportation services, to provide transportation to appointments and pharmacies.
This story was produced by Lyft and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Journals
3 hours ago
- Business Journals
Employers: Use these guidelines to create benefits for the modern workforce
It's impossible to forget the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reshaped how we live and work, forcing companies to rapidly adapt to remote models and prioritize health and safety in new ways. The crisis made one thing clear for employers: Affordable, meaningful health care benefits are vital — not only for supporting employees but also for ensuring long-term business stability. In the post-pandemic workplace, high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) continue to present challenges, especially for hourly and lower-wage workers. Recruiting and retaining top talent now hinges on offering benefits that go beyond basic coverage — they must be affordable, accessible and relevant. Employers are shifting from cutting costs to investing in benefits that support the whole person. A new framework: Mind, body, money To meet the demands of today's workforce, I use a simple yet powerful framework to guide benefits strategy: Mind, body and money. These three pillars reflect the needs of employees and can help employers design plans that truly make a difference. 1. Mind: Prioritizing mental health Mental health challenges spiked during the pandemic, and they haven't gone away. Today, one in five adults report struggling with mental health, while nearly a third say they don't have a primary care provider (PCP), leading to overall poor well-being. Telehealth has provided a lifeline, but access to in-network mental health providers remains limited. The need for robust mental health support has never been greater, and addressing it must be a priority. 2. Body: Access and prevention Roughly a third of Americans lack a primary care provider (PCP), leading many to rely on urgent care instead. This not only drives up claim volume and employer costs but also increases the risk of chronic conditions going undetected. Consider this: nearly 40% of Americans are pre-diabetic, and managing diabetes can cost $8,000-$10,000 per person annually. For an employer with 50 employees, that could mean $200,000 in preventable expenses. It's critical to ensure employees have access to high-quality preventive care at a price they can afford. Prevention isn't just a health strategy — it's a financial one. 3. Money: Real incentives that work A recent survey by Imagine360 found that 25% of employees would accept a pay cut in exchange for better benefits. That's a powerful signal. But incentives must go beyond surface-level perks like gym memberships. Instead, they should encourage real engagement with health care — rewarding participation in preventive care, screenings and chronic condition management. At the same time, health care costs are climbing fast — especially when it comes to prescriptions. GLP-1 medications are up 200%-300% year over year, prompting employers to reassess pharmacy strategies. Real savings start with aligning incentives to promote smart utilization. The retirement factor Older employees are increasingly delaying retirement — not because they want to, but because they can't afford to stop working. 28% regularly find themselves out of money before payday arrives. 60% of full-time employees are stressed about finances. 56% of financially stressed employees spend three or more hours a week thinking about finances. Consultants must help employers address this early with smart retirement planning tools like 401(k) plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Financial wellness isn't a separate issue — it's deeply tied to mental and physical health. Supporting employees across all three areas helps ensure smoother, more cost-effective transitions into retirement. Implementing reference-based pricing, a sustainable cost strategy Reference-Based Pricing (RBP) has evolved significantly over the years. What was once viewed as a heavy lift for companies and employees is now gaining momentum as a sustainable solution to out-of-control health care costs, and a great experience for employees. Like HSAs, RBP has continued to garner more adoption — and it's delivering real results. With rising health care 'tariffs,' more employers are turning to RBP to regain control. For example, a nursing home with 800-900 employees implemented RBP and saw health care costs drop by 40%. Four years later, they've maintained those savings, and employees have embraced the model.* RBP is particularly effective for companies with high turnover or low plan engagement. It allows employers to lower deductibles and build a more budget-neutral benefits strategy. While switching any health plan carrier requires change management, the right consultants can guide the process and help ensure both employer and employee success. What consultants must do now It's time for consultants to step up. That means vetting vendors rigorously and recommending only those that align with the employer's core goals — whether it's improving retention, reducing costs or boosting care quality. Employees care deeply about their take-home pay and their health. If a benefit strategy isn't working for them, they'll leave. Strong benefits aren't nice to have — they're a competitive advantage and a critical part of your business strategy. Want to talk about building a smarter benefits strategy that works for your team and your budget? Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Business Insider
6 hours ago
- Business Insider
RFK Jr. reconstituting vaccine advisory committee, retiring 17 current members
In an opinion article published by The Wall Street Journal, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated: 'Vaccines have become a divisive issue in American politics, but there is one thing all parties can agree on: The U.S. faces a crisis of public trust. Whether toward health agencies, pharmaceutical companies or vaccines themselves, public confidence is waning… That is why, under my direction, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is putting the restoration of public trust above any pro- or antivaccine agenda… Today, we are taking a bold step in restoring public trust by totally reconstituting the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). We are retiring the 17 current members of the committee, some of whom were last-minute appointees of the Biden administration. Without removing the current members, the current Trump administration would not have been able to appoint a majority of new members until 2028… A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science.' Confident Investing Starts Here:
Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
The 1 Thing That Food Experts Never Eat Or Drink While Traveling Abroad
When you're traveling abroad, you probably have a long list of must-sees and must-dos. Diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps most definitely aren't on that list, but these digestive problems can be all too common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 30% to 70% of vacationers get traveler's diarrhea, depending on where and when they go. The illness can often (but not always) be prevented by paying close attention to what you eat or drink, and by following the 'boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it' rule. 'Foodborne infections can strike at any time,' Leah Silberman, a registered dietitian with Medical Offices of Manhattan, told HuffPost. 'Traveling exposes you to new food sources, local food handling procedures, and different cleanliness standards. This raises your chances of coming into contact with infections or pollutants, against which your body may not have built protection.' Foods may also be contaminated with unsafe drinking water, or when handwashing isn't the norm or isn't done properly, said Mitzi Baum, CEO of the nonprofit Stop Foodborne Illness. Before traveling, it's a good idea to check the CDC's list of destinations, which highlights food or water safety issues, Baum said. Keep in mind, though, that you can get sick anywhere, including the US. About one in six Americans contract foodborne illness each year, which results in 3,000 deaths and 128,000 hospitalizations, according to the CDC. Travel enhances your risk of getting digestive issues, however. Along with not being acclimated to the foods or encountering different food-handling processes, jet lag and changes in climate can weaken your immune system, Silberman explained. Next time you travel, follow these tips for protecting yourself from traveler's diarrhea. Dietitians and food safety experts explain which foods are more likely to put you at risk for foodborne illness. What Is Traveler's Sickness? Traveler's diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness, and you get it by consuming tainted foods or drinks, according to the CDC. E. coli bacteria is the main culprit, Baum said, but travelers can also get sick from salmonella, shigella, or campylobacter. Viruses, like astrovirus, norovirus, and rotavirus, can also be to blame, as well as the parasite giardia. It often happens in instances of poor food handling, a lack of sanitation, or contaminated drinking water, Silberman said. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever are the most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms of viral or bacterial infections typically show up within six to 24 hours, but parasites can take a few weeks to show signs. The highest-risk destinations are Asia (except for Japan and South Korea), the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America, according to the CDC. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating, can reduce your risk, Baum said. Foods And Drinks To Avoid When Traveling Abroad You can actually get foodborne illness from any food or beverage. But some might be riskier than others, depending on where you travel. Food safety measures, sanitary standards, and culinary habits vary in different parts of the world, Silberman said. Your best bet is to research food safety and health risks for your destination. But here are some foods and drinks to consider avoiding. Raw fish and meat Raw meat and seafood are a 'big no-no,' according to Vanessa Rissetto, a registered dietitian and co-founder and CEO of Culina Health. 'We can't source where they came from, how long they've been out, and how they've been handled.' Rare steaks, tartare, sushi, ceviche or raw seafood, or inadequately prepared meat, fish, or seafood can increase your risk for consuming bacteria, parasites, or viruses, Silberman said. Fresh fruits and vegetables Fresh fruits and vegetables that seem to have been sitting out for a while could attract germs that might make you sick, Rissetto said. Opt for cooked produce when you can, which will ensure that it reaches temperatures high enough to kill pathogens. 'If you're going to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, they are safest when washed with potable water and peeled by the person who eats them,' Baum added. Also, choose fruits and vegetables with thick skins — like bananas, oranges or avocados — that can be peeled, Silberman said. 'Peel them yourself to reduce the possibility of eating pathogens.' Dairy Pasteurized milk and dairy products from sealed containers are usually safe to consume, according to the CDC. But unpasteurized items, including cheese, yogurt, or ice cream, are more likely to contain hazardous germs, like listeria, salmonella, or E. coli, Silberman said. It's also a good idea to avoid dairy that's been stored at room temperature or left out, such as cream for coffee. Tap water Alberto Masnovo / Getty Images Contaminated water is a big cause of traveler's diarrhea. 'Since pathogens aren't visible to the naked eye, it's hard to tell if the water is safe to drink,' Baum said. To learn about the safety of tap water in your destination, visit the CDC's travelers' health website, where you can search by country. Whenever you're not sure about the safety of water, drink factory-sealed bottled water and remove ice from your drinks, Baum said. You can also boil water for at least a minute. Be careful not to swallow any water in the shower if you're visiting a place where the water isn't safe to drink, and use bottled water to brush your teeth, Rissetto said. Certain types of street food DigiPub / Getty Images Sampling food from street vendors is a fun way to sample local cuisine, but the CDC warns that some may not adhere to the same safety practices — like hand-washing and checking food temperatures — as restaurants. It's always best to avoid foods and drinks that seem to be sitting around for a while. Items that come straight off a grill, for instance, that are piping hot and cooked are likely safer. What If You Get Sick While Traveling? If, despite your best efforts, you do get a case of traveler's diarrhea, it's usually not serious. But it can persist for a few days or a week (longer if it's caused by a parasite), ruining your trip. Silberman offered these tips for taking care of yourself if that happens: Stay hydrated. Diarrhea and vomiting can be dehydrating, so drink lots of bottled water or other safe fluids. Take an over-the-counter medication. Antidiarrheals, like loperamide (Imodium), or anti-nausea drugs, like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), help relieve symptoms. Talk to a healthcare expert first, though, especially if you're taking other medications. See a doctor. If your symptoms aren't going away, they're severe, or you also have a fever, bloody stool, or dehydration, seek medical attention. Call your doctor when you get home if you still have symptoms or if you have an underlying medical condition. No one wants to get sick while traveling, of course. But remember that foodborne illness can happen anywhere, Rissetto noted. 'If we go on vacation overly worried about every single thing we're eating, we might not be able to truly enjoy the experience,' she said. 'You can determine what's right for you in the moment.'
