Patient Care Access News

Many Seniors Rely on Public Transportation to Drive Healthcare Access

A new study found that 1 in 10 seniors who live in cities rely on public transportation for healthcare access, highlighting a need for better public infrastructure to reduce access barriers.

Access to transportation is a top social determinant of health leaving many patients to turn to public transit.

Source: Getty Images

By Sarai Rodriguez

- More than 3 million seniors in the United States reported recently using public transportation, with over 600,000 turning to these services for healthcare access, according to a new study led by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers.

Attending healthcare appointments and participating in social activities are essential elements of healthy aging, but involvement is often limited by a lack of transportation, researchers stated.

Access to transportation is a top social determinant of health. Past studies have shown that transportation barriers are one of the leading causes of missed appointments for seniors. Public transportation may bridge these gaps and drive health equity for the senior population.