02724, Fall River, Massachusetts Hypertension Score Travel Score

The Travel Score for the Hypertension Score in 02724, Fall River, Massachusetts is 64 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

63.25 percent of residents in 02724 to travel to work in 30 minutes or less.

When looking at the three closest hospitals, the average distance to a hospital is 5.13 miles. The closest hospital with an emergency room is Saint Anne's Hospital with a distance of 0.58 miles from the area.

## Hypertension Score: Navigating Healthcare Access in Fall River (ZIP Code 02724)

The pursuit of optimal health, particularly for those managing hypertension, necessitates reliable and efficient access to healthcare. This write-up provides a detailed analysis of the transportation landscape within Fall River, Massachusetts (ZIP Code 02724), evaluating its impact on healthcare access and offering insights for residents, potential newcomers considering moving to Fall River, and healthcare providers seeking to understand the challenges and opportunities within this community. We will delve into drive times, public transit options, ride-sharing availability, and medical transport services, culminating in a "Hypertension Score" that reflects the ease or difficulty of navigating the healthcare system within this specific geographic area.

Fall River, a city steeped in history and resilience, presents a unique set of transportation challenges. Its urban layout, coupled with the reliance on personal vehicles, creates a complex environment for individuals seeking timely medical attention. Understanding these complexities is crucial for anyone, especially those managing chronic conditions like hypertension, for whom consistent and prompt healthcare access is paramount.

**Drive Time Dynamics: A Road Map to Care**

The primary arteries for vehicular travel within Fall River are the major highways and roads. Interstate 195 (I-195), the city's lifeline, provides east-west access, connecting Fall River to Providence, Rhode Island, and New Bedford. Route 24, running north-south, links the city to Boston and the surrounding communities. Access to these highways is generally good, but traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours, can significantly impact drive times, potentially delaying critical medical appointments.

Within the city itself, roads like Plymouth Avenue, Pleasant Street, and South Main Street serve as crucial connectors. Drive times to healthcare facilities vary considerably depending on the location of the patient and the destination. For instance, a trip from the northern reaches of Fall River to Saint Anne’s Hospital, a major healthcare provider, might take 15-20 minutes under normal traffic conditions. However, during rush hour, this time could easily double. Conversely, a visit to a clinic located in the downtown area might be more accessible for residents living nearby.

The condition of the roads also plays a role. Potholes, construction, and weather events can further complicate commutes, especially for those with mobility issues or those driving older vehicles. Careful consideration of these factors is essential when evaluating the overall transportation landscape and its impact on healthcare access. This is especially important for individuals managing hypertension, as stress related to transportation delays can exacerbate their condition.

**Public Transit: Navigating the Network**

The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) provides public transportation services within Fall River. The SRTA bus network offers a network of routes throughout the city, connecting various neighborhoods with healthcare facilities, shopping centers, and other essential services. The primary bus routes serving Fall River include the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200.

The SRTA operates with a commitment to accessibility. All buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps, and designated seating is available for individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, the SRTA offers paratransit services for those who cannot use the fixed-route bus system due to a disability. This service requires advance scheduling and provides door-to-door transportation, ensuring that individuals with mobility limitations can access healthcare facilities.

However, the public transit system has limitations. Service frequency, particularly during evenings and weekends, can be infrequent, potentially making it challenging for individuals with hypertension to access timely medical care outside of regular business hours. Furthermore, the need for transfers between routes can increase travel time and complexity, adding to the stress of the journey.

**Ride-Sharing and Medical Transport: Filling the Gaps**

Ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are available in Fall River, providing an alternative transportation option. These services offer on-demand transportation, allowing individuals to request a ride through a mobile app. Ride-sharing can be particularly useful for those who do not own a car or who need a ride at times when public transit is unavailable. However, the availability of ride-sharing services can fluctuate depending on demand and driver availability, and costs can vary, potentially making them less accessible for some individuals.

For individuals with specific medical needs, medical transportation services offer specialized transportation options. These services, such as AMR (American Medical Response) and other local providers, provide non-emergency medical transportation, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles and trained personnel to assist with patient needs. These services are typically pre-scheduled and are designed to ensure safe and comfortable transportation to and from medical appointments. However, these services often require prior authorization and may have associated costs.

**Hypertension Score: Assessing Healthcare Access**

Based on the analysis of transportation options within Fall River (ZIP Code 02724), we can formulate a "Hypertension Score" to assess the ease or difficulty of accessing healthcare for individuals managing hypertension. This score will consider factors such as drive times, public transit accessibility, ride-sharing availability, and medical transport options.

**Factors to Consider:**

* **Drive Times:** Average drive times to major healthcare facilities, considering peak traffic.
* **Public Transit Accessibility:** Frequency, route coverage, and accessibility features of the SRTA bus network.
* **Ride-Sharing Availability:** Reliability and cost of Uber and Lyft services.
* **Medical Transport Options:** Availability, cost, and ease of access to medical transport services.
* **Socioeconomic Factors:** Income levels and access to personal vehicles within the community.

**Scoring Methodology:**

A comprehensive scoring system would assign points based on the ease of access to each transportation option. For example, shorter drive times would receive higher scores, while longer drive times would receive lower scores. Similarly, routes with frequent bus service and accessible features would receive higher scores, while routes with infrequent service and limited accessibility would receive lower scores. The availability and affordability of ride-sharing and medical transport services would also be factored into the scoring.

**Preliminary Assessment:**

Based on the information presented, the "Hypertension Score" for Fall River (ZIP Code 02724) would likely be in the moderate range. While the city offers a variety of transportation options, including public transit, ride-sharing, and medical transport, there are limitations. Drive times can be impacted by traffic congestion, public transit service frequency can be limited, and the cost of ride-sharing and medical transport can be a barrier for some individuals.

**Recommendations:**

To improve healthcare access for individuals with hypertension in Fall River, several recommendations can be made:

* **Enhance Public Transit:** Increase the frequency of bus service, especially during evenings and weekends. Improve route coverage to better serve healthcare facilities and residential areas.
* **Promote Ride-Sharing Accessibility:** Explore partnerships with ride-sharing services to provide discounted fares for medical appointments.
* **Expand Medical Transport Services:** Increase the availability of medical transport services and streamline the process for obtaining authorization.
* **Community Education:** Educate residents about available transportation options and resources.
* **Healthcare Provider Coordination:** Encourage healthcare providers to consider transportation challenges when scheduling appointments and provide assistance with transportation arrangements when possible.

**Conclusion:**

Navigating the transportation landscape in Fall River requires careful consideration, particularly for individuals managing hypertension. While the city offers various transportation options, challenges remain. By understanding these complexities and implementing targeted improvements, we can enhance healthcare access and promote the well-being of residents, creating a more supportive environment for those moving to Fall River or already calling it home. The "Hypertension Score" serves as a valuable tool for assessing healthcare access and guiding efforts to improve the lives of individuals managing chronic conditions within this vibrant and historically rich community.