Study: More than 1 in 5 adults with limited transit access forgo needed health care

More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults without access to a vehicle or public transportation missed or skipped a medical appointment in the previous year, according to a new national study (Source: “Over 1 in 5 skip health care due to transportation barriers,” Axios, April 28).

The new study found that while telehealth may have reduced transportation barriers for mental health, primary care and some other services, it's not accessible to all and can't substitute for in-person care for some medical needs, the Urban Institute researchers wrote.

The findings point to gaps that could be filled by Medicaid coverage of nonemergency medical transportation, which varies by state, or expanded access to telehealth where public transit options are limited, they said.

Transportation is one of the social drivers of health that HPIO examined in its recently released policy brief, Social Drivers of Infant Mortality: Recommendations for Action and Accountability in Ohio.