SVMC Community Health Needs Assessment 2021 - Catalog - Page 25
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Physical Environment
Transportation
The availability of reliable transportation plays an important role in the health of an individual, family,
and community. A lack of transportation does not only affect a person’s access to health care services,
but can impede
Survey responses: challenges with reliable
their ability to
access nutritious
transportation
and affordable
n=1,501
food, to see
members of their
30%
support network,
25%
or to commute to
work.13
A major challenge
20%
Lack of vehicle
15%
access, particularly
in rural portions of
A small challenge
10%
SVMC’s service
area, can be
5%
particularly
detrimental. The
0%
inability to reliably
13-34 years 35-64 years 65+ years
and conveniently
travel can result in missed doctor and clinic appointments and limited pharmacy access. While vehicles
can saddle low-income families with the costs of repairs, insurance, and fuel, the lack of a personal
vehicle can also dramatically limit opportunities for earning a living wage, staying employed, and living in
a safe neighborhood.13 Survey results indicate that those ages 13 to 34 struggle the most with
transportation, potentially acting as a hurdle to maintaining steady employment, keeping appointments,
and saving income.
Somewhat of a challenge
Disparities in transportation identified by SVMC’s community health survey:
12% of those with less than a high school degree had major transportation challenges, versus 4% of
those with a high school degree.
10% of Black or African American respondents reported major transportation challenges, compared to
2% of White or Caucasian respondents.
6% of unemployed respondents had major transportation challenges.
13
Health Research and Educational Trust. Social Determinants of Health Series: Transportation and the Role of Hospitals.
American Hospital Association. November 2017. https://www.aha.org/system/files/hpoe/Reports-HPOE/2017/sdohtransportation-role-of-hospitals.pdf
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Community Health Needs Assessment 2021