27242, Eagle Springs, North Carolina Hypertension Score Travel Score

The Travel Score for the Hypertension Score in 27242, Eagle Springs, North Carolina is 40 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

67.97 percent of residents in 27242 to travel to work in 30 minutes or less.

When looking at the three closest hospitals, the average distance to a hospital is 18.17 miles. The closest hospital with an emergency room is Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital with a distance of 12.98 miles from the area.

## Hypertension Score: Navigating Healthcare in Eagle Springs (ZIP Code 27242)

The journey to healthcare in Eagle Springs, North Carolina (ZIP Code 27242), demands careful consideration. This analysis, a "Hypertension Score" assessment, considers the critical link between transportation and healthcare access, vital for residents managing hypertension or those contemplating moving to this rural community. The ability to swiftly and reliably reach medical appointments, pharmacies, and emergency services directly impacts health outcomes. This write-up explores the transportation landscape, highlighting the challenges and opportunities within this specific geographic area.

Eagle Springs, nestled in Moore County, presents a unique transportation profile. The town's relative isolation, coupled with its limited public transit infrastructure, necessitates a reliance on personal vehicles. The primary arteries for travel include US-211, a crucial east-west thoroughfare, and NC-2, offering north-south connectivity. Smaller, local roads like Eagle Springs Road and Pine Ridge Road serve as essential connectors, particularly for residents living outside the immediate town center. The quality and maintenance of these roads, especially after inclement weather, directly affect transportation reliability and safety.

Drive times to healthcare facilities are a crucial component of the Hypertension Score. The closest major healthcare provider, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, is approximately a 30- to 45-minute drive via US-211 and NC-2. This drive time can fluctuate significantly based on traffic, especially during peak hours or on weekends when visitors flock to the Pinehurst area. Smaller clinics and urgent care facilities in nearby towns like Carthage and Southern Pines offer shorter drive times, generally ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. These facilities provide crucial options for routine check-ups and immediate medical needs.

Public transportation options in Eagle Springs are severely limited. Moore County does not have a comprehensive public bus system. The lack of public transit presents a significant barrier to healthcare access for individuals without personal vehicles, particularly the elderly, those with disabilities, and low-income residents. This transportation deficit exacerbates existing health disparities, creating a challenging environment for managing chronic conditions like hypertension. The absence of accessible public transit is a critical factor impacting the Hypertension Score.

For those unable to drive, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available, but their presence in Eagle Springs is often sporadic. Availability depends on driver density, which can be unpredictable in rural areas. The cost of ride-sharing can also be prohibitive for regular medical appointments, especially when factoring in the round-trip journey. This reliance on ride-sharing, with its inherent uncertainties, negatively impacts the Hypertension Score.

Medical transportation services offer a more specialized solution. Companies like FirstHealth Home Care and other private providers offer non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). These services cater to individuals requiring assistance with mobility, providing door-to-door transportation to medical appointments. While these services are invaluable, they often require advance booking and can be expensive, further impacting the affordability and accessibility of healthcare.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance is a crucial consideration for transportation options. While ride-sharing services and medical transportation providers are expected to offer accessible vehicles, their availability cannot always be guaranteed. The lack of accessible public transit options further isolates individuals with disabilities, hindering their ability to attend medical appointments and manage their health conditions. The absence of consistent ADA-compliant transportation significantly lowers the Hypertension Score.

Pharmacies are another crucial element of healthcare access. The nearest pharmacies are located in neighboring towns, requiring a drive. This adds another layer of complexity to managing hypertension, as timely access to medication refills is essential. The drive time to pharmacies, coupled with the potential for prescription delays, can negatively impact medication adherence and overall health outcomes.

The overall Hypertension Score for Eagle Springs, ZIP Code 27242, reflects the complex interplay of transportation challenges and healthcare access limitations. The reliance on personal vehicles, the limited public transit options, the sporadic availability of ride-sharing, and the potential costs associated with medical transportation services all contribute to a lower score. This score is further impacted by the rural nature of the area, where the distances to healthcare facilities and pharmacies are greater than in more urban environments.

For individuals with hypertension or those considering moving to Eagle Springs, a thorough assessment of their transportation needs is paramount. This includes evaluating their ability to drive, the availability of family or friends to provide transportation, and the financial feasibility of utilizing ride-sharing or medical transportation services. Understanding the potential challenges and proactively planning for transportation needs is essential for maintaining optimal health and well-being.

The future of healthcare access in Eagle Springs may involve exploring innovative transportation solutions. Partnerships between healthcare providers, local government, and community organizations could facilitate the development of a more robust transportation infrastructure. This could include exploring the feasibility of a demand-response public transit system, collaborating with ride-sharing services to improve their presence in the area, or subsidizing medical transportation for low-income residents.

In conclusion, the Hypertension Score for Eagle Springs highlights the critical importance of transportation in accessing healthcare. The existing transportation limitations present significant challenges for residents managing hypertension. Careful planning, awareness of available resources, and a proactive approach to transportation needs are essential for ensuring timely access to medical care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in this rural community. The ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and expand healthcare access will be crucial in improving the Hypertension Score and promoting the well-being of all Eagle Springs residents.