Locations and characteristics of pharmacy deserts in the United States: A geospatial study

R. Wittenauer, P. Shah, J. Bacci, Andy Stergachis
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Abstract

Pharmacies are important healthcare access points, but no national map currently exists of where pharmacy deserts are located. This cross-sectional study used pharmacy address data and Census Bureau surveys to define pharmacy deserts at the census tract level in all 50 US States and DC. We also compared sociodemographic characteristics of pharmacy desert vs. non-pharmacy desert communities. Nationally, 15.8 million (4.7%) of all people in the US live in pharmacy deserts, spanning urban and rural settings in all 50 states. On average, communities that are pharmacy deserts have a higher proportion of people who: have a high school education or less, have no health insurance, have low self-reported English ability, have an ambulatory disability, and identify as a racial or ethnic minority. While, on average, pharmacies are the most accessible healthcare setting in the US, many people still do not have access to them. Further, the people living in pharmacy deserts are often marginalized groups who have historically faced structural barriers to healthcare. This study demonstrates a need to improve access to pharmacies and pharmacy services to advance health equity.
美国药房沙漠的位置和特征:地理空间研究
药房是重要的医疗保健接入点,但目前还没有全国性的药房荒漠分布图。这项横断面研究利用药店地址数据和人口普查局调查,在美国 50 个州和华盛顿特区的人口普查区一级界定了药店荒。我们还比较了药店荒与非药店荒社区的社会人口特征。从全国范围来看,美国有 1580 万人(4.7%)生活在药荒地区,遍布 50 个州的城市和农村。平均而言,药房荒漠社区中以下人群的比例较高:高中或以下学历、没有医疗保险、自我报告的英语能力较低、有行动障碍以及被认定为少数种族或少数族裔。虽然平均而言,药房是美国最方便的医疗机构,但仍有许多人无法获得药房服务。此外,生活在药房沙漠中的人往往是边缘化群体,他们历来面临着医疗保健的结构性障碍。这项研究表明,有必要改善药房和药房服务的可及性,以促进健康公平。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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