Access to care was identified as the number two health priority among Durham residents in the 2017 Community Health Assessment, with 70% of residents surveyed identifying it as a top issue in Durham.^10,13 Although the proportion of uninsured residents has decreased from 15% in 2015 to 13% in 2017, a large number of residents continue to be affected. An estimated 38,816 Durham residents were uninsured in 2017. Of those, 4,743 were children and adolescents under 19 years old.⁶ Residents who were surveyed as part of the most recent Community Health Assessment identified cost as the number one barrier in getting health insurance. That was followed by lack of employer based plans, immigration status, and unemployment.¹³

The percent of Durham residents without insurance varies significantly by race and ethnicity. Data are disaggregated in the chart below.