OSU study finds nearly half of U.S. counties have pharmacy deserts

Amid staffing shortages, rising costs and other issues plaguing the nation's health care landscape, A new study from the Ohio State University found that thousands of communities in the United States are in a "pharmacy desert" (Source: “Communities with no pharmacy have worse health, OSU study finds. Where are they in Ohio?” Columbus Dispatch, Sept. 9).
 
According to the OSU study, Approximately 46% of U.S. counties have at least one or more pharmacy deserts, defined as a 10-mile radius without a retail pharmacy. This means many Americans lack reasonable access to prescribed medications and other health services — something that afflicts at least 15 communities in Ohio, according to the study.
 
Counties with pharmacy deserts were also more likely to have a shortage of primary care providers like physicians and nurse practitioners, a problem that the National Center of Health Workforce Analysis projects will last well into the next decade for the entire nation.
 
This is especially true in rural areas. A new HPIO Data Snapshot released last month found that rural counties have a lower rate of primary care, dental and mental health providers, even after taking population into consideration.