AI Insight
Approximately 15.8 million people in the United States live in pharmacy deserts, defined as areas with limited or no access to nearby pharmacy services. Research indicates that individuals in these underserved areas face increased mortality risk and higher rates of preventable disease progression due to reduced access to medications and health care services. The study examines the behavioral patterns of residents who bypass their closest pharmacy, which has implications for understanding how people navigate health care scarcity.
Why it matters
Understanding why patients skip the nearest pharmacy can inform policy decisions around health care infrastructure, pharmacy placement, and targeted interventions in medically underserved communities. Addressing pharmacy deserts could reduce preventable illness and death among millions of Americans with limited health care access.
An estimated 15.8 million people in the United States live in pharmacy deserts. With limited access to health care services, like hospitals and pharmacies, these individuals are at risk of elevated mortality risk and higher rates of preventable disease progression.
Source: Why some people skip the closest pharmacy—and what that means for health care deserts