May 24, 2023 - Health
How transportation impacts health in Portland
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
More than one in five U.S. adults without access to a vehicle or public transportation missed or skipped a medical appointment last year, according to a report by the Urban Institute.
Why it matters: While access to telehealth has reduced some transportation barriers, it's not available to all and can't replace in-person care for all medical needs.
- In the Portland area, 8% of all households — and nearly 24% of Black households — don't have a car.
- Despite Portland being known for its public transit and bikeability, one of the primary ways to traverse the city is by car.
What they found: Nationwide, 21% of adults without access to a vehicle or public transit said they went without needed medical care in 2022.
- Though 91% of adults reported they had access to a vehicle, the figure was substantially lower for Black adults (81%), those with low family incomes (78%) or a disability (83%) and for people with public health insurance (79%) or no coverage (83%).
Go deeper: Research suggests as much as 40% of a person's health can be attributed to socioeconomic factors like education, employment and the availability of transportation.
- The pandemic heightened awareness of racial inequalities, prompting some cities to ensure there's more equitable access.