The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66239

John E Stewart, MS, MPH, Institute for Families in Society, University of South Carolina, Carolina Plaza, Suite 618, Columbia, SC 29208 and Barbara Hirshorn, PhD, University of Nevada, Center on Aging, Las Vegas, NV 00000, 411, Barbara.Hirshorn@ccmail.nevada.edu.

At-risk older populations may experience reduced access to health care, especially in the absence of nearby health care facilities. In this study, data from the 2000 Census were used to determine the relative vulnerability of the noninstitutionalized population 65 and older in 96 census tracts comprising the Waccamaw public health service region in South Carolina. A vulnerability index consisting of two primary risk indicators (percentage of persons 65 and older below 200% of poverty, percentage of persons 65 and older with at least one disability) and one secondary risk indicator (percentage of persons 65 and older living alone) was created to identify highly and moderately vulnerable older populations at the census tract level. A geographic information system (GIS) then was used to map at-risk older populations and to estimate travel distance from highly and moderately vulnerable census tracts to public health clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies. Older population vulnerability in the Waccamaw public health service region varies markedly across space. High levels of population vulnerability occur in largely rural, inland settlements, while low vulnerability occurs in more recently developed coastal communities. Moreover, health care resources are largely concentrated on or near the coast. Travel distance from highly and moderately vulnerable census tracts to critical health care facilities exceeds 15 miles in some instances. GIS assessment of at-risk older populations may help target limited public health resources to enhance health care accessibility for older community-based residents.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• List three census indicators used to construct a vulnerability index for older populations
• Evaluate maps of older population vulnerability
• Discuss implications of travel distance to critical health care facilities for at-risk older populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.