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A study published in July (Eurekalert) found that nearly half of all U.S. counties are without a cardiologist despite them being hotspots for cardiovascular (CV) risks and deaths.
Across 3.143 counties, 1,689 had access to an average of 24 cardiologists. In 1,454 counties, there were none. A majority of these counties were in rural areas, with lower household incomes, had less insurance, and poorer access to health foods and primary care.
“While cardiologists are not the only determinants of cardiovascular outcomes, the lack of access to cardiologists in areas with greater prevalence of heart disease and mortality is incredibly concerning,” said VA Boston Health director of heart failure program Haider J. Warraich said in the article. (TAKE A POLL: Do You Attend Weekly Religious Services?)
‘Critical Need’
“Our findings really highlight the critical need to find ways to mitigate deep disparities to improve cardiovascular disease outcomes for Americans living in rural and disadvantaged areas,” Warraich continued. “Policy reforms, such as financial incentives to clinicians to practice in areas with marginal access or better leveraging telemedicine are potential options. The integration and coordination of cardiovascular care—especially with regard to prevention and risk modification—with the primary care is crucial.”
The research team stated that greater policy interventions would definitely help lessen the disparity. There were also calls for increasing digital literacy so older patients could access other forms of healthcare, such as telehealth. (TAKE A POLL: Do You Agree That Small Businesses Are the Backbone of Our Economy and Need More Support?)
‘Alarming’
““The findings of this study are both enlightening and alarming, shedding light on the severe geographic disparities in access to cardiovascular care across the United States,” said JACC Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz. ““This study underscores the urgent need for policy reforms and innovative solutions, such as financial incentives for clinicians and the expanded use of telemedicine, to bridge this gap. Ensuring equitable access to cardiovascular care is a crucial step towards improving overall public health outcomes and reducing preventable cardiovascular mortality.”
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