15870, Wilcox, Pennsylvania Hypertension Score Travel Score

The Travel Score for the Hypertension Score in 15870, Wilcox, Pennsylvania is 31 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

63.33 percent of residents in 15870 to travel to work in 30 minutes or less.

When looking at the three closest hospitals, the average distance to a hospital is 19.88 miles. The closest hospital with an emergency room is Penn Highlands Elk with a distance of 15.49 miles from the area.

## Hypertension Score: Commute to Healthcare in ZIP Code 15870

The quaint borough of Wilcox, Pennsylvania, nestled within ZIP code 15870, presents a unique landscape for assessing healthcare access, particularly for individuals managing hypertension. This analysis delves into the transportation options available, scrutinizing drive times, public transit, ride-sharing possibilities, and medical transport services, to formulate a comprehensive "Hypertension Score" reflecting the challenges and opportunities faced by residents seeking timely medical care. This score will inform prospective residents considering moving to Wilcox, Pennsylvania.

The very essence of managing hypertension hinges on consistent access to medical appointments, medication refills, and emergency care. Transportation, therefore, becomes a critical determinant of health outcomes. The remoteness of Wilcox, coupled with its limited public transit infrastructure, casts a long shadow on healthcare access, especially for those without personal vehicles or with mobility limitations.

Driving remains the primary mode of transportation for most residents. The closest primary care physicians and specialists are located in neighboring towns such as Kane and Ridgway, both accessible via Pennsylvania Route 219, a crucial artery connecting Wilcox to the broader region. The drive to Kane, approximately 15 miles, typically takes 20-30 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Ridgway, roughly 20 miles away, demands a drive time of 30-40 minutes. These times can fluctuate significantly during inclement weather, common in the Pennsylvania mountains, potentially delaying critical medical appointments.

Further afield, the city of DuBois, roughly 50 miles from Wilcox, houses a larger concentration of specialists and a regional hospital. Reaching DuBois necessitates navigating Pennsylvania Route 219 and Interstate 80, a journey that can consume up to an hour and a half, depending on traffic and weather. This extended travel time poses a significant challenge for individuals with hypertension, especially during emergencies or for routine check-ups.

Public transportation options in and around Wilcox are severely limited. The Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA) offers a demand-response transportation service, providing door-to-door rides within Elk County. However, the availability of this service is subject to scheduling constraints, and its operational hours may not align with the needs of individuals requiring early morning or late evening medical appointments. Furthermore, the ECCOTA system does not provide ADA-compliant features. This limited accessibility underscores the transportation challenges faced by residents with mobility impairments or those reliant on public transit.

Ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are generally unavailable in Wilcox and the surrounding rural areas. This absence further restricts transportation options, particularly for those without personal vehicles or who cannot drive. The lack of ride-sharing services exacerbates the existing transportation barriers, particularly for individuals with hypertension who may require frequent medical appointments or face mobility challenges.

Medical transport services, such as ambulance services and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) providers, play a crucial role in bridging the gap in healthcare access. Ambulance services are available for emergency situations, but they are often expensive and do not address the needs of individuals requiring routine medical appointments. NEMT providers, specializing in transporting patients to and from medical appointments, offer a more affordable alternative. However, the availability of NEMT services in Wilcox is limited, and scheduling can be challenging.

The "Hypertension Score" for ZIP code 15870, therefore, reflects the confluence of these factors. The score considers the following parameters: average drive times to healthcare providers, availability of public transit, presence of ride-sharing services, and accessibility of medical transport options. The score will be scaled from 1 to 10, with 1 representing the lowest level of healthcare access and 10 representing the highest.

Given the limited transportation options, the long drive times to healthcare providers, and the absence of ride-sharing services, the Hypertension Score for ZIP code 15870 is relatively low. The score is further impacted by the limitations of public transit and the challenges associated with scheduling medical transport.

Moving to Wilcox, for individuals managing hypertension, necessitates careful consideration of transportation limitations. The reliance on personal vehicles, the potential for long drive times, and the scarcity of alternative transportation options demand proactive planning. Residents should establish relationships with healthcare providers in advance, schedule appointments strategically, and explore available medical transport services.

The availability of healthcare access is a critical factor in the health and well-being of the community. The "Hypertension Score" serves as a valuable tool for understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with healthcare access in ZIP code 15870. It highlights the need for community-based solutions to improve transportation options, such as expanding public transit services, promoting ride-sharing initiatives, and increasing the availability of medical transport.

Furthermore, the score underscores the importance of advocating for policies that support healthcare access, such as funding for rural transportation programs and incentives for healthcare providers to establish practices in underserved areas. Ultimately, improving healthcare access in Wilcox requires a collaborative effort, involving healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies.

The goal is to create a healthcare environment that supports the needs of all residents, including those managing hypertension. This requires a commitment to addressing transportation barriers, expanding access to care, and promoting healthy lifestyles. The "Hypertension Score" serves as a starting point for this important endeavor, highlighting the need for ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access and enhance the quality of life for all residents of Wilcox, Pennsylvania.