INFACT: New Study, disparity in life span between the rich and poor is growing
According to a new study published in The New York Times this week, disparity in life span between the rich and poor is growing. And some of the factors driving this gap involve access to healthcare.
As part of our 2016 Rural Relevance Study, we explore health disparity in depth, particularly as it relates to rural hospital performance. iVantage took 12 equally-weighted metrics for measuring health and access to examine hospitals serving challenged populations.
- Nearly 1,000 hospitals are located in the top 25% 'most challenged' communities in America.
- 68% of these hospitals are rural with more than 350 classified as Critical Access.
- States with the highest concentration of the challenged populations are predominantly located in the South.
- 63% of hospitals serving challenged populations are in states which have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA.
The results of our analysis expose a new layer of complexity that must be factored into efforts to better support vulnerable communities and the hospitals which provide critical access to healthcare services.
Read this important new study to find out how some hospitals are succeeding despite facing longer odds, while other, already vulnerable hospitals face a tough road ahead.
