Access and Issues of Equity in Remote/Rural Areas

• Published in: The Journal of rural health Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 356 - 359
• Main Authors: Bull, C. Neil, Krout, John A., Rathbone-McCuan, Eloise, Shreffler, M. Jean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2001
• Subjects: Aged; Education; Health Facility Closure; Health Services Accessibility; Health Services for the Aged - organization & administration; Health Services for the Aged - supply & distribution; Hospitals, Rural - supply & distribution; Humans; Mental Health Services - organization & administration; Mental Health Services - supply & distribution; Rural Health Services - organization & administration; Rural Health Services - supply & distribution; Social Justice; Socioeconomic Factors; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0890-765X; 1748-0361
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-0361.2001.tb00288.x

This article reports on a workshop in which the major focus was a review of the barriers that prevent access to the array of community‐based services available to the rural elderly. The demographics of the elderly were outlined and key components of the service system described. Attention was given to access hospital‐based care, the closing of hospitals and the reasons for bypassing rural hospitals for those in large towns or cities. Special emphasis also was given to mental health services and their uneven accessibility. A review of the policy implications closed the workshop.