Have you ever thought about…
What happens when someone lives 2 to 20 miles from the closest grocery store or hospital, and they don’t have a car? In rural areas where public transportation is minimal or non-existent, residents without regular access to transportation face a number of challenges. These challenges that impact health equity can range from short or long-term inconvenience to immediate health and safety hazards for some of our residents in Meeker, McLeod, and Sibley counties. With only a few hospitals, clinics, and groceries stores in each county, it can be miles between someone’s residence and the closest needed resource.
Current Statistics
- According to a recent Behavioral Health Survey completed in Meeker, McLeod and Sibley counties, survey results show that 28% of low income residents said that a lack of reliable transportation keeps them from getting places where they need to go, such as to jobs, medical appointments and to shopping.
Why is it so important to care?
Addressing health equity and community problem solving helps everyone. When people are healthy, a community is healthy, and it lowers the costs for all. Being proactive to the challenges facing health equity in our area, begins with education. Please help us in sharing this important information with your friends, neighbors, school board members, and local representatives; and take a moment to watch this video.
