MOUNT VERNON – The importance of public transportation and its role in helping people access healthcare were identified as the key results in a recent survey of nearly 300 Knox County residents. The survey was conducted by the Knox County Health Department as part of the Maternal Child Health Program (MCHP) grant from the Ohio Department of Health and involved maternal-aged women age and children, up to 21 years of age.
Survey respondents without access to a vehicle for transportation indicated that they typically depend on public transportation as their method of getting to and from a healthcare provider. Lack of money to either purchase a vehicle or to purchase gas were identified among the top reasons for not having a means of transportation. Regardless of where survey respondents lived, they identified Mount Vernon as the most difficult destination to get to or to navigate due to size of the city and variety of healthcare locations
In addition to the survey, the health department collaborated with several community partners to address transportation issues and the effects on access to healthcare. Studies indicate that the lack of transportation can directly lead to negative impacts on local residents, particularly when it concerns health. The lack of affordable and reliable transportation options can lead to missed appointments and ignoring health issues until an emergency arises. Studies show this problem affects residents of all ages but disproportionally impacts older, disabled, poor and rural residents.
In addition to the health department, community partners involved in the transportation project include: Knox Area Transit, Interchurch Social Services, Knox Community Hospital, Knox County Dental, Starting Point, WIC and Knox County Job & Family Services. As a result of the collaboration, a Knox County Transportation Resource Guide has been compiled listing all of the local transportation options including contact phone numbers and participation costs.
The Knox County Transportation Resource Guide will be shared with local healthcare providers and social service agencies to help inform residents of the available transportation resources.
For more information on the transportation project or to get involved, please contact Alayna Anderson, health educator at the Knox County Health Department, at 740-392-2200 ext. 2232 or aanderson@knoxhealth.com.