39330, Enterprise, Mississippi Hypertension Score Travel Score

The Travel Score for the Hypertension Score in 39330, Enterprise, Mississippi is 51 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

54.03 percent of residents in 39330 to travel to work in 30 minutes or less.

When looking at the three closest hospitals, the average distance to a hospital is 13.57 miles. The closest hospital with an emergency room is Anderson Regional Medical Center South Campus with a distance of 13.47 miles from the area.

## Hypertension Score: Navigating Healthcare in Enterprise, Mississippi (ZIP Code 39330)

Enterprise, Mississippi, nestled in Clarke County, presents a unique landscape for residents seeking healthcare, particularly those managing hypertension. The ability to efficiently and reliably access medical care is crucial for individuals with this condition, impacting their overall health and well-being. This write-up examines the various transportation options available in and around ZIP Code 39330, assessing their impact on healthcare access and providing a "Hypertension Score" that reflects the ease or difficulty of reaching essential medical services.

The primary factor influencing healthcare access in Enterprise is the geographical spread of services. While the town itself offers some local medical facilities, specialized care and comprehensive treatment options often necessitate travel to larger towns like Meridian, Mississippi, or even further afield. This reliance on transportation significantly shapes the experience of managing hypertension in the area.

**Roadways: The Arteries of Healthcare Access**

The primary roadways serving Enterprise are crucial for healthcare access. Highway 11, running north-south, acts as a vital artery, connecting Enterprise to Meridian, approximately 30 miles away. This drive typically takes around 45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Highway 80, another major thoroughfare, intersects with Highway 11, offering an alternative route and connecting Enterprise to other regional centers.

Navigating these highways, however, can present challenges. Traffic, particularly during peak hours, can extend drive times, potentially delaying critical medical appointments. Furthermore, the condition of the roads themselves, including potholes and uneven surfaces, can impact vehicle maintenance and the comfort of patients, especially those with mobility issues.

Smaller roads and county routes provide access to local clinics and healthcare providers within Enterprise and the surrounding communities. However, these roads may be less well-maintained and offer fewer direct routes to larger medical facilities.

**Public Transit: A Limited Option**

Public transportation options in Enterprise are extremely limited. There is no established public bus system operating within the town or directly connecting it to Meridian or other major healthcare hubs. This lack of public transit presents a significant barrier for individuals without personal vehicles, particularly those with limited mobility or financial resources.

While there may be informal or community-based transportation services, they are not readily available or widely publicized. This severely restricts healthcare access for those reliant on public transportation, potentially leading to missed appointments, delayed treatment, and increased health risks.

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

Ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are present in the Meridian area but their availability in Enterprise is sporadic and unreliable. This means that patients may struggle to secure a ride to appointments, especially during off-peak hours or in emergencies.

Medical transportation services, specifically designed to transport patients to and from medical appointments, offer a more reliable option. These services often provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles and trained personnel to assist patients. However, the availability of these services in Enterprise and the surrounding areas is limited, and their costs can be a significant barrier for many residents.

**Medical Facilities: The Destination**

Enterprise itself offers some local healthcare facilities, including general practitioners and potentially some specialized clinics. However, for comprehensive care, including cardiology, endocrinology, and other specialties crucial for hypertension management, residents often need to travel to Meridian.

Meridian boasts a larger concentration of medical facilities, including hospitals, specialist clinics, and diagnostic centers. This necessitates longer travel times but provides access to a wider range of healthcare services. The availability of these facilities is a significant factor in assessing the overall healthcare access in the area.

**Hypertension Score: Assessing the Landscape**

Considering the factors discussed above, we can assign a "Hypertension Score" to the transportation and healthcare access landscape in ZIP Code 39330. This score reflects the relative ease or difficulty of managing hypertension based on available transportation options and proximity to healthcare services.

**Factors considered:**

* **Drive Times:** The average travel time to Meridian and other major healthcare facilities.
* **Road Conditions:** The quality and maintenance of the roads.
* **Public Transportation:** The availability and reliability of public transit.
* **Ride-Sharing:** The presence and dependability of ride-sharing services.
* **Medical Transportation:** The availability and affordability of medical transport.
* **Proximity to Healthcare:** The distance to and availability of specialized medical services.

**Score Breakdown:**

* **Excellent (5/5):** Easy access to a wide range of healthcare services with multiple transportation options.
* **Good (4/5):** Relatively easy access to healthcare, with some limitations in transportation options.
* **Fair (3/5):** Moderate challenges in accessing healthcare due to limited transportation and/or distance to services.
* **Poor (2/5):** Significant challenges in accessing healthcare, with limited transportation options and/or long travel times.
* **Very Poor (1/5):** Severe limitations in accessing healthcare due to a lack of transportation and/or extremely limited access to services.

Based on the analysis, the "Hypertension Score" for ZIP Code 39330 is **Fair (3/5)**. While residents have access to roadways connecting them to healthcare facilities, the limitations in public transportation, the potential unreliability of ride-sharing, and the costs associated with medical transportation create significant challenges. The need to travel to Meridian for specialized care further compounds these difficulties.

**Impact on Residents and Considerations for Moving to Enterprise**

The limited transportation options and the need to travel for specialized care can significantly impact the lives of residents managing hypertension. This can lead to increased stress, financial burdens, and potential delays in accessing critical medical treatment.

For individuals considering moving to Enterprise, it is crucial to carefully assess their healthcare needs and the available transportation options. Prospective residents with hypertension should research the availability of medical transportation services, the costs associated with travel to Meridian, and the potential impact on their ability to attend appointments and manage their condition effectively.

**Recommendations for Improvement**

To improve healthcare access for residents of Enterprise, several initiatives could be implemented:

* **Advocate for Public Transportation:** Explore the feasibility of establishing a public bus route connecting Enterprise to Meridian and other healthcare hubs.
* **Support Ride-Sharing:** Encourage the expansion and reliability of ride-sharing services in the area.
* **Promote Medical Transportation:** Increase awareness of and access to medical transportation services.
* **Improve Road Infrastructure:** Advocate for the maintenance and improvement of roadways to ensure safe and efficient travel.
* **Community Outreach:** Educate residents about available transportation options and healthcare resources.
* **Telehealth Expansion:** Encourage the use of telehealth services to reduce the need for travel for routine appointments and consultations.

By addressing these challenges and implementing these recommendations, Enterprise can improve healthcare access for all residents, particularly those managing chronic conditions like hypertension, making it a more supportive and accessible community.