37743, Greeneville, Tennessee Overall Health Score Travel Score

The Travel Score for the Overall Health Score in 37743, Greeneville, Tennessee is 31 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

71.08 percent of residents in 37743 to travel to work in 30 minutes or less.

When looking at the three closest hospitals, the average distance to a hospital is 15.76 miles. The closest hospital with an emergency room is Greeneville Community Hospital with a distance of 4.90 miles from the area.

## Overall Health Score: Commuting to Healthcare in Greeneville, TN (ZIP Code 37743)

Greeneville, Tennessee, nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, presents a unique landscape for residents seeking healthcare. The town's relative isolation, while offering scenic beauty, significantly impacts the ease with which individuals can access medical services. This analysis provides an "Overall Health Score" for commuting to healthcare within the 37743 ZIP code, considering various transportation options and their associated challenges. This information is crucial for anyone considering moving to Greeneville, as it directly affects their overall well-being.

The "Overall Health Score" is a composite metric. It considers drive times, public transportation availability and accessibility, ride-sharing options, and medical transport services. Each category is weighted based on its perceived impact on healthcare access, with drive times holding the most significant influence. The score aims to provide a realistic picture of the ease or difficulty of reaching medical facilities from different points within the 37743 ZIP code.

**Drive Times: The Dominant Factor**

The primary mode of transportation in Greeneville is the personal vehicle. This reality makes drive times a critical determinant of healthcare access. The 37743 ZIP code encompasses a diverse area, with varying distances to healthcare providers.

The primary routes for accessing medical facilities involve traveling on US-11E (Andrew Johnson Highway) and State Route 107 (East Andrew Johnson Highway). These highways are the lifelines connecting Greeneville to surrounding areas, including larger medical centers in Johnson City and Knoxville.

Within Greeneville, the drive to the primary hospital, **Greeneville Community Hospital**, typically takes around 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the specific location within the ZIP code and traffic conditions. Rush hour, especially around school dismissal times and business openings/closings, can significantly extend these times.

For specialized care, residents often need to travel to Johnson City, approximately 30 to 45 minutes away via I-26 East and US-11E. Knoxville, offering even more specialized services, is a considerably longer journey, requiring around 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes via I-81 South and I-40 East. These longer travel times can be particularly challenging for individuals with chronic conditions, those requiring frequent appointments, or during medical emergencies. The condition of the roads, including potential for inclement weather like snow and ice during winter months, can further complicate these journeys.

**Public Transportation: Limited Options**

Greeneville's public transportation system is limited. The **Greeneville Area Transit System (GATS)** provides bus services within the town. However, the routes are infrequent and primarily serve the town's central areas.

The GATS currently operates with a limited number of fixed routes. These routes do not extend to the outer reaches of the 37743 ZIP code, making them impractical for many residents seeking healthcare. Furthermore, the frequency of the buses is not conducive to timely medical appointments.

While GATS does provide ADA-accessible buses, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can utilize the service, the limited route coverage and infrequent schedules significantly diminish its overall impact on healthcare access. This is a major consideration for individuals with mobility challenges. The lack of comprehensive public transportation is a major barrier to healthcare access for many residents.

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

Ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are available in Greeneville, but their availability can be inconsistent. The number of drivers is limited, especially during off-peak hours or in more remote areas of the 37743 ZIP code. This can result in longer wait times and higher fares, making ride-sharing a less reliable and potentially expensive option for healthcare transportation.

Medical transport services, such as **CareRide** and **MedTrans**, offer specialized transportation for individuals with medical needs. These services typically provide door-to-door assistance and can accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids. However, these services often require advance booking and can be costly, particularly for frequent appointments. The availability of these services is also limited compared to larger metropolitan areas.

**Overall Health Score: A Complex Picture**

The "Overall Health Score" for commuting to healthcare in the 37743 ZIP code is moderate, with significant variability based on individual circumstances. Drive times are the most significant factor, with the accessibility of healthcare heavily reliant on personal vehicle ownership and the ability to navigate the local road network.

The limited public transportation options and the inconsistent availability of ride-sharing services present significant challenges, particularly for individuals without access to a personal vehicle, those with disabilities, or those who are unable to drive.

Medical transport services provide a valuable, albeit often expensive, alternative for those who need it. The overall picture highlights the importance of careful consideration of transportation needs when moving to Greeneville, especially for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those who anticipate needing regular medical care.

**Recommendations**

For individuals considering moving to Greeneville, a thorough assessment of their transportation needs is essential. Those reliant on public transportation or ride-sharing should carefully evaluate the feasibility of accessing healthcare facilities.

Researching the proximity of potential residences to medical facilities, understanding the local traffic patterns, and exploring the availability and cost of medical transport services are crucial steps.

Individuals with mobility limitations or those with chronic conditions should prioritize locations with easy access to US-11E or State Route 107, as these are the primary routes to healthcare providers.

The "Overall Health Score" emphasizes that while Greeneville offers a welcoming community and scenic beauty, healthcare access is a complex issue that requires careful planning and consideration.