Why it Matters?

Access to primary care can encourage preventive health care and improve health outcomes. Many rural areas of North Carolina lack adequate access to medical professionals, including those providing primary care.

Receipt of early prenatal care is a protective factor for many negative health outcomes for mothers and their babies. In North Carolina, only 68% of pregnant women receive care within the first trimester. Those who do not receive care are disproportionately women of color and teenage mothers.

The Numbers

What Does This Mean for Macon?

• The percent of adults who were unable to get needed medical care at some point in the past year slightly increased to 17% in 2021.
• The percent of adults without healthcare insurance slightly decreased to 23.2% in 2021.
• Approximately 37% of adults chose to go without needed care during the pandemic.
• This health issue is related to the HNC 2030 desired results and indicators for increase the primary care workforce.

What’s Helping?

• County Health Department
• Local Healthcare Facilities
• Free-clinics
• VA Clinic
• Private practices
• Telehealth

What’s Hurting?

• Transportation
• Education
• Seasonal Residents
• High cost of living
• COVID-19
• Lack of Medicaid Expansion
• Difficult Insurance Requirements
• Aging providers
• Housing costs
• Lack of urgent cares
• Lack of comprehensive care (physical and mental health
• Lack of child/adolescent care
• Labor shortage

Who’s Most Impacted?

• Older adults
• Veterans
• Low income, uninsured and/or underinsured
• Hispanic/Latinx population
• Seasonal residents

What Else Do We Know?

• Access to care typically begins with affordable and comprehensive health insurance.
• Geographic proximity to health care providers is key.
• Quality care means the provision of safe, effective treatment in a timely manner.

What Works to Do Better?

• Examples identified by CHA Prioritization attendees:
• Telemedicine (New NC law requires insurance to cover)
• Remote clinic locations
• Programs that target “whole health’ approach and pair both physical and mental health