Availability of Health Care Provider Offices and Facilities in Minority and Integrated Communities in the U.S.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the availability of health care provider offices and facilities in predominantly White, minority, and integrated primary care service areas (PCSA).

METHODS

National data from the American Community Survey and InfoUSA, linked at the PCSA-level, for 2005 (N=7,109) and 2014 (N=7,142). Associations between racial composition of PCSAs and numbers of health care offices and facilities were examined using multiple regression models.

RESULTS

After adjustment for PCSA socio-demographic characteristics, predominantly minority PCSAs had fewer diagnostic imaging centers and offices for physicians, mental health providers, dentists, and other health practitioners than White PCSAs (Adj IRR range: 0.68-0.80, all p<.01). Availability was also lower for integrated PCSAs, but reductions were smaller and involved fewer service types (Adj IRR range: 0.85-0.91, all p<.05).

CONCLUSION

Minority and integrated communities have fewer provider offices and facilities for important health services, which may contribute to the persistent racial/ethnic disparities in health care access and use.