This Science and Technology Note identifies and compares non-emergent healthcare transportation strategies used in and around West Virginia and defines models to expand availability.
Research Highlights
- West Virginia is a primarily rural state with an aging population that requires increased medical care. A number of these individuals live in healthcare deserts or lack reliable transportation to receive the necessary healthcare.
- West Virginia currently ranks first in the nation for poor physical and mental health. Access to healthcare, particularly in underserved communities, could improve the health of residents and of the community.
- There are a variety of transportation models utilized by rural communities throughout Appalachia. The success of these programs depends on the community
Access to Healthcare in Rural West Virginia
In 2018, West Virginians ranked first in the nation for the prevalence of poor physical and mental health. This is likely due to a lack of available healthcare. A study by Sidecar Health ranked West Virginia as the state with the most healthcare deserts, with 84.66% of the population living in counties designated as primary care deserts, with no providers within a five-mile radius. The same study indicated that 55% of the population in these healthcare deserts do not have broadband connections, limiting the efficacy of telehealth programs. Additionally,17.9% of West Virginians fall below the poverty line which limits their ability to afford a vehicle and/or fuel to get to appointments that are far away. Therefore, there is a need to increase accessibility to healthcare facilities. West Virginia is 46.68% rural, and research has shown that citizens in rural locations live an average of 10.5 miles from the nearest hospital compared to 5.6 miles in suburban locations.
There is an increasing need for transportation to healthcare facilities, especially as the population ages. West Virginia is third in the nation for the percentage of residents over the age of 65. Elderly residents are more likely to have chronic conditions that require more frequent visits to healthcare facilities and also less likely to possess a driver’s license.
Source:
Rural Health Information Hub
Source:
Rural Health Information Hub
The State Rural Health Plan
The State Rural Health Plan was established in 2018 to address rural health disparities in West Virginia. One of the specific objectives of this plan is to improve access to healthcare. Through the promotion of stronger linkages between social and healthcare institutions, rearranging resources for optimal access to care, coordinating care between providers, developing solutions in order to adopt telehealth technology, and promoting policy to increase funding.
Benefits of expanding healthcare transportation
Access to healthcare can improve the quality of life for the individual through disease prevention, early detection, and intervention, resulting in improved health outcomes, increased life expectancy, and decreased overall healthcare costs. Community benefits of improved healthcare access are increased economic productivity by fostering a healthier workforce, decreased economic burden associated with treating preventable diseases, and increased healthcare-related employment.
Models of Medical Transportation Throughout Appalachia
| Transportation Model Category | Transportation Mode | Geographic Coverage |
| Mobile Health Clinic | The Health Wagon (Medical, Dental, Vision) | Southwest VA |
| Remote Area Medical (Medical, Dental, Vision) | Popup Clinics in TN, SC, VA | |
| Premiere Health Mobile Clinic (Medical) | Southwest OH | |
| Cabin Creek Health (Medical) | Kanawha County, WV | |
| Public Transportation | Mountain Area Transportation Ser- vices (Flex-Route) | Asheville, NC |
| Kentucky River Foothills Development Council (Fixed Route) | Eastern KY | |
| Country Roads Transit (Flex-Route) | Randolph and Upshur Counties, WV | |
| Volunteer Transportation | Mercy Health | OH and KY |
| Volunteer Match | Kanawha and Putnam Counties, WV | |
| Rideshare | Lyft | Certain cities in WV (Charleston, Huntington, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Vienna) |
| Uber health | Certain Cities in WV (Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Nutter-Fort, Fairmont, Westover,
Granville, Morgantown, Star City)
|
Selected Rural Transportation Program Models
| Transportation Program | Description |
| Public Transportation | Fixed-route buses are typically the main transit providers in rural areas. Flex-route transportation systems, where buses leave their regular routes on request, may aid to expand these services. However, rural communities may lack sufficient resources to expand public transportation |
| Volunteer Model | Volunteers from the community, often driving their own vehicles, coordinate with passenger requests to provide door-to-door services at a specific time. Programs may reimburse drivers for the cost of mileage and gas. |
| Voucher Model | Eligible riders exchange tickets for a ride from a participating transportation provider, either public transportation or ridesharing. Voucher programs allow the riders to choose transit services that meet their needs and preferences. |
| Ridesharing Model | Demand-response transportation that involves vehicle sharing and using technology to arrange shared rides on short notice. These programs help fill gaps in transportation for people who do not have access to other modes of transportation in the evenings, on weekends, and on holidays. |
| Mobile Clinics | Customized motor vehicles that travel to different communities to provide healthcare. These clinics are designed to provide non-emergent services such as bloodwork, physical exams, and first aid. Some mobile clinics are able to provide additional services such as routine dentalcare, and vision screenings. |
This Science Technology Legislative Note was written by Sara Druffner, Ph.D. Candidate at West Virginia University on behalf of the Bridge Initiative for Science and Technology Policy, Leadership, and Communications. Please see https://scitechpolicy.wvu.edu/ or contact scitechpolicy@mail.wvu.edu for more information.
© 2024 West Virginia University. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative License Works 4.0 License.