18453, Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Score Travel Score

The Travel Score for the Prostate Cancer Score in 18453, Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania is 30 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

47.79 percent of residents in 18453 to travel to work in 30 minutes or less.

When looking at the three closest hospitals, the average distance to a hospital is 18.45 miles. The closest hospital with an emergency room is Wayne Memorial Hospital with a distance of 13.13 miles from the area.

## Prostate Cancer Score: Commuting to Healthcare in ZIP Code 18453

Navigating the complexities of healthcare, especially when facing a diagnosis like prostate cancer, demands a clear understanding of available resources. This write-up focuses on healthcare access for residents of Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania, ZIP code 18453, specifically concerning prostate cancer treatment and the transportation options available to reach those services. We'll explore drive times, public transit, ride-sharing, and medical transport, providing a "Prostate Cancer Score" to help assess the ease of healthcare access. This score considers the multifaceted nature of transportation, recognizing that factors like physical limitations, financial constraints, and personal preferences significantly impact a patient's ability to receive timely and appropriate care.

The journey to healthcare begins with understanding the geographical landscape. Pleasant Mount, a rural community, presents unique transportation challenges. The primary roadways are crucial for accessing specialized medical care. The primary route to larger medical centers involves traveling south on Pennsylvania Route 374. This road, while scenic, can experience delays due to local traffic and seasonal weather conditions. Further access to major hospitals often requires connecting to Interstate 81, a major north-south artery. This interstate offers relatively efficient travel, but its distance from Pleasant Mount necessitates a longer commute. Another option involves taking Route 296, a winding road that connects to other key routes, but is often slower than the interstate.

Drive times, a critical component of our "Prostate Cancer Score," vary depending on the destination and traffic conditions. Scranton, approximately 30 miles south, is the closest city with comprehensive medical facilities, including hospitals like Geisinger Community Medical Center and Moses Taylor Hospital, both offering urology and oncology services. A drive to Scranton via Route 374 and Interstate 81 typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Wilkes-Barre, further south, offers additional options, including the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, requiring a drive of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, primarily via Interstate 81. These drive times are estimates and can be significantly affected by weather, especially during the winter months.

Public transportation options in ZIP code 18453 are limited. Lackawanna County, which includes Scranton, operates a public transit system, COLTS (County of Lackawanna Transit System). However, COLTS primarily serves the Scranton area, and direct routes from Pleasant Mount are not available. Residents would need to rely on a combination of local transport, such as a taxi or ride-sharing service, to reach a COLTS bus stop, significantly extending travel times. The COLTS system offers some ADA-accessible buses, ensuring accessibility for individuals with mobility limitations. However, the absence of direct routes from Pleasant Mount severely limits the practicality of public transit for accessing prostate cancer care.

Ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are available in the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre areas. However, their availability in Pleasant Mount is less reliable. The cost of ride-sharing can be a significant barrier, especially for frequent appointments like those required for prostate cancer treatment. The availability of these services is also subject to driver availability, which can be unpredictable, especially during off-peak hours or in inclement weather. Patients should consider the potential for delays and the financial implications when relying on ride-sharing.

Medical transportation services offer a specialized solution for patients needing assistance with transportation. Companies like CareRide and MedRide provide non-emergency medical transportation, often offering door-to-door service and accommodating mobility aids. These services are typically more expensive than public transit or ride-sharing but can be a valuable option for patients who cannot drive or have difficulty using other transportation methods. Availability and booking requirements should be carefully investigated, as advance scheduling is often necessary.

Considering all these factors, we can formulate a preliminary "Prostate Cancer Score" for Pleasant Mount. The score is based on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 representing the least accessible and 5 representing the most accessible.

**Prostate Cancer Score for ZIP Code 18453:**

* **Drive Time to Specialized Care:** 3 (Moderate drive times to Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, but subject to traffic and weather.)
* **Public Transportation:** 1 (Limited availability, no direct routes, and reliance on secondary transport.)
* **Ride-Sharing Availability:** 2 (Unreliable availability and potentially high cost.)
* **Medical Transportation:** 3 (Available, but with associated costs and booking requirements.)

**Overall Score: 2.25 (Fair)**

This score indicates that residents of Pleasant Mount face moderate challenges in accessing prostate cancer care. The reliance on personal vehicles and the limited public transit options necessitate careful planning and consideration of alternative transportation methods.

For individuals considering moving to Pleasant Mount, this score should be a significant factor in their decision-making process. It is essential to assess the availability of transportation options and the potential impact on healthcare access. Potential residents should consider their ability to drive, the availability of family or friends to provide transportation, and the financial implications of relying on ride-sharing or medical transport.

Furthermore, this score highlights the need for community initiatives to improve healthcare access. This could include exploring partnerships with local organizations to provide transportation assistance, advocating for expanded public transit options, or promoting the use of telehealth services. Telehealth, the use of technology to deliver healthcare remotely, can be a valuable tool for consultations, follow-up appointments, and managing side effects, reducing the need for frequent travel to medical facilities.

In conclusion, while Pleasant Mount offers a peaceful and rural environment, accessing specialized healthcare for conditions like prostate cancer presents challenges. The "Prostate Cancer Score" provides a snapshot of the current transportation landscape, emphasizing the need for careful planning and consideration of all available options. Understanding these factors is crucial for ensuring that residents of Pleasant Mount can receive timely and appropriate care, improving their overall quality of life. The future of healthcare access in this region depends on a collaborative approach, involving patients, healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers, working together to overcome transportation barriers and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.