Company
Date Published
Author
CARTO Contributors
Word count
1437
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

The US faces significant health inequity issues, particularly in pharmacy accessibility. A 2017 study found that while 90% of Americans filled prescription orders at community pharmacies within 2 miles, there is substantial variation in accessibility across the country. Retail chains dominate the market, contributing to the decline of independent pharmacies, which often serve as the sole pharmacy for local communities. Pharmacy deserts, where access to pharmacies is limited, can exacerbate health issues like the opioid epidemic. Spatial analysis and data visualizations can help identify areas of influence, such as travel impedance, and inform patient behaviors and decision-making processes. An Area of Influence (AoI) analysis in New York City identified independent pharmacies as a critical component of addressing pharmacy deserts, providing accommodations like home delivery services and meeting the needs of local communities. Ensuring pharmacy accessibility is crucial to confronting the opioid epidemic, particularly in areas with high rates of overdose-related deaths, such as Chicago's South and West sides. By leveraging location data and spatial analysis, healthcare professionals can develop targeted strategies to address these issues and promote health equity.