Researchers Looking At Difficulties Accessing Health Care In Rural Missouri

A new University of Missouri study is looking at health inequalities in rural Missouri.

The study found that health care organizations are beginning to offer basic social services as it helps contributes to someone’s overall health.

Julie Kapp, with the M-U College of Health Sciences, says her research shows that health care organizations need to change their approach to improving the health outcomes of rural Americans by providing basic services.

Notably, transportation was the most reported barrier in rural Missouri where you must travel farther distances, especially for specialized healthcare.

She says that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the barriers that rural Missourians face when trying to access healthcare.