Health Care Access and Navigation
Description: Health care access and navigation emerged as the foremost social and economic concern in Washtenaw County, with 79% of respondents in community surveys identifying it as a primary issue. Insights from focus groups and interviews underscored the imperative for flexible appointment scheduling, citing challenges stemming from limited availability. Additionally, various barriers to care were explained, encompassing concerns over affordability, experiences of racism, and inadequate transportation options. A significant portion of the community deals with a lack of awareness regarding available resources, compounded by language and cultural barriers, hindering their ability to access vital services. Notably, statistics from Healthy People 2030 reveal that approximately 1 in 10 individuals in the United States lack health insurance, a factor which correlates with diminished access to primary care providers and the inability to afford essential healthcare services and medications. (Source: Health Care Access and Quality - Healthy People 2030 | health.gov)
What the data say:
- Washtenaw County has a lower percentage of people being uninsured compared to Michigan and the U.S., but it’s still difficult for many of our community members to access care.
- 79% of Community Survey respondents ranked health care access and navigation as a top issue.
Themes from Interviews and Focus Groups
- Difficult to schedule timely appointments
- Lack of awareness of available resources
- Challenges accessing available resources
- Language/cultural barriers
- Need for flexible appointment times
- Affordability
- Racism
- Transportation
"If you don't have relationships with your doctor, you're just a number. So as far as being treated, less than one, sometimes a human being, especially for a person of color, you have to work harder to say 'Excuse me, I am a person.'"
-- Focus Group participant
Access to health insurance has improved locally over the past 10 years, but accessing actual care is still challenging for many.
"I know the resources are here, I know because of who I am and my connection to people who are in those particular places, right, but how do we get those people who need that service the most?"
-- Interview participant