Health Care Access and Navigation
Description: Health care access and navigation emerged as the foremost social and economic concern in Washtenaw County, with 79% of respondents in community surveys identifying it as a primary issue. Insights from focus groups and interviews underscored the imperative for flexible appointment scheduling, citing challenges stemming from limited availability. Additionally, various barriers to care were explained, encompassing concerns over affordability, experiences of racism, and inadequate transportation options. A significant portion of the community deals with a lack of awareness regarding available resources, compounded by language and cultural barriers, hindering their ability to access vital services. Notably, statistics from Healthy People 2030 reveal that approximately 1 in 10 individuals in the United States lack health insurance, a factor which correlates with diminished access to primary care providers and the inability to afford essential healthcare services and medications. (Source: Health Care Access and Quality - Healthy People 2030 | health.gov)
Strategy: Addressing barriers to accessing care (racism, transportation, language, childcare, etc.)
Goal: Enhance knowledge and accessibility of health information, resources, and communications
Objectives
Objective #1: Expand interpreter services and training to address cultural and language barriers.
Impact: Enhances communication between health care providers and patients, ensuring that language and cultural differences do not hinder access to care. This leads to more inclusive and effective health care services for all community members.Objective #2: Foster community trust through education on health system navigation, insurance, and youth education programs.
Impact: Builds trust and confidence in the health care system by empowering community members with the knowledge to navigate health services, understand insurance options, and access youth education programs. This results in a more informed and engaged community.Objective #3: Identify and advocate for the expansion of scarce or limited resources, programs, and services within the community.
Impact: Addresses gaps in available resources by identifying and advocating for the expansion of essential programs and services. This ensures that all community members have access to the support they need, improving overall community health and well-being.
What the data say:
- Washtenaw County has a lower percentage of people being uninsured compared to Michigan and the U.S., but it’s still difficult for many of our community members to access care.
- 79% of Community Survey respondents ranked health care access and navigation as a top issue.
Themes from Interviews and Focus Groups
- Difficult to schedule timely appointments
- Lack of awareness of available resources
- Challenges accessing available resources
- Language/cultural barriers
- Need for flexible appointment times
- Affordability
- Racism
- Transportation
"If you don't have relationships with your doctor, you're just a number. So as far as being treated, less than one, sometimes a human being, especially for a person of color, you have to work harder to say 'Excuse me, I am a person.'"
-- Focus Group participant
Access to health insurance has improved locally over the past 10 years, but accessing actual care is still challenging for many.
"I know the resources are here, I know because of who I am and my connection to people who are in those particular places, right, but how do we get those people who need that service the most?"
-- Interview participant
