28698, Zionville, North Carolina Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 28698, Zionville, North Carolina is 35 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 79.07 percent of the residents in 28698 has some form of health insurance. 37.74 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 59.06 percent of the residents have private health insurance, either through their employer or direct purchase. Military veterans should know that percent of the residents in the ZIP Code of 28698 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 463 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 0 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 28698. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 581 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 332 health care providers accessible to residents in 28698, Zionville, North Carolina.

## Asthma Score Analysis: Zionville, NC (ZIP Code 28698)

Analyzing healthcare access and quality in Zionville, North Carolina (ZIP code 28698), requires a multifaceted approach, particularly regarding asthma management. This analysis, framed as an "Asthma Score," considers key factors influencing asthma care, including physician availability, practice characteristics, telemedicine integration, and the presence of mental health resources. The ultimate goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the healthcare landscape for asthma sufferers in this specific area.

The foundation of any asthma score rests on the availability of primary care physicians (PCPs). Zionville, a rural community, likely faces challenges common to such areas: a potentially lower physician-to-patient ratio compared to urban centers. Accurate physician-to-patient ratio data is crucial. This data would be derived from publicly available sources, like the US Census Bureau and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to understand the density of PCPs within the 28698 ZIP code. A lower ratio suggests potential difficulties in securing timely appointments and ongoing care, negatively impacting the asthma score.

Beyond sheer numbers, the characteristics of the available practices are important. Are there any standout practices known for their asthma management expertise? This would involve researching local healthcare providers, including clinics and individual practitioners, to identify those with specialized asthma care programs, certified asthma educators, or a demonstrated commitment to evidence-based asthma treatment guidelines. These practices would contribute positively to the overall asthma score. Conversely, practices lacking these features or showing inconsistencies in care quality would detract from the score.

Telemedicine's role in asthma management is rapidly evolving. Its adoption within Zionville's primary care practices is a critical factor. Telemedicine offers several advantages for asthma patients, including remote monitoring of symptoms, medication management consultations, and educational resources. Practices actively utilizing telemedicine for asthma care would receive a higher score. This assessment would involve investigating which practices offer telehealth appointments, remote monitoring tools, and online patient portals for asthma-related information and communication. The absence of telemedicine capabilities would negatively impact the score, especially in a rural setting where travel can be a barrier to care.

Asthma often co-occurs with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms and reduce treatment adherence. Therefore, the availability of mental health resources within Zionville is a significant component of the asthma score. This would involve evaluating the presence of mental health professionals, such as therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists, either within primary care practices or as separate providers in the community. Practices that offer integrated mental health services or have strong referral networks to mental health specialists would contribute positively to the score. Limited access to mental health support would negatively impact the overall assessment, reflecting a potential gap in comprehensive asthma care.

The analysis would also consider the availability of specialized asthma care, such as pulmonologists or allergists. While primary care providers often manage asthma, access to specialists is crucial for complex cases or when initial treatments are ineffective. The presence and accessibility of these specialists within or near Zionville would significantly enhance the asthma score. The distance patients must travel to reach these specialists and the associated wait times would also be considered.

Furthermore, the analysis would investigate the availability of asthma education programs and resources within the community. This includes programs offered by healthcare providers, schools, or community organizations. Access to asthma education empowers patients to manage their condition effectively, leading to improved outcomes. The presence of such programs would be a positive factor in the score, while their absence would detract from it.

The assessment would also consider the quality of asthma medication access. This includes the availability of affordable medications, the ease of obtaining prescriptions, and the presence of patient assistance programs. Barriers to medication access can significantly worsen asthma control and negatively impact the asthma score.

Finally, the analysis would consider patient satisfaction and outcomes data, if available. This would involve researching patient reviews, surveys, or publicly available quality metrics related to asthma care within Zionville. Positive patient experiences and favorable outcomes would contribute positively to the score.

The "Asthma Score" for Zionville (28698) would be a composite of these factors, weighted based on their relative importance in asthma management. The resulting score would provide a snapshot of the healthcare landscape for asthma sufferers in the area, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. A high score would indicate a strong healthcare system for asthma patients, with readily available PCPs, specialist access, telemedicine options, mental health support, and asthma education resources. A lower score would highlight areas needing improvement, such as physician shortages, limited access to specialists, or a lack of integrated mental health services.

The final score, combined with the specific data points used in the analysis, would provide valuable insights for patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers. This information could be used to improve asthma care in Zionville, by identifying areas needing improvement and guiding the allocation of resources.

To visualize the healthcare landscape in Zionville, and to gain a deeper understanding of physician locations, practice characteristics, and resource availability, consider exploring the interactive mapping capabilities of CartoChrome maps. These maps can provide a visual representation of the data, allowing for a more intuitive understanding of the area's healthcare resources.