PUBLIC HEALTH

Public Health Alerts

Current Public Health Projects

Past Public Health Projects

Public Health
Resources and Links

Public Health Broadcast

Healthy People 2020: Leading Health Indicators for American Indian/Alaska Native Populations

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

A person's ability to access health services has a profound effect on every aspect of his or her health, yet at the start of the decade, almost 1 in 4 Americans do not have a primary care provider (PCP) or health center where they can receive regular medical services. Approximately 1 in 6 Americans do not have medical insurance. People without medical insurance are more likely to lack a usual source of medical care, such as a PCP, and are more likely to skip routine medical care due to costs, increasing their risk for serious and disabling health conditions. When they do access health services, they are often burdened with large medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses.

Increasing access to both routine medical care and medical insurance are vital steps in improving the health of all Americans.

Health Impact of Access to Health Services

Access to health services affects a person’s health and well-being. Regular and reliable access to health services can:

• Prevent disease and disability
• Detect and treat illnesses or other health conditions
• Increase quality of life
• Reduce the likelihood of premature (early) death
• Increase life expectancy

Primary care providers (PCPs) play an important role in protecting the health and safety of the communities they serve. PCPs can develop meaningful and sustained relationships with patients and provide integrated services while practicing in the context of family and community. Having a usual PCP is associated with:

• Greater patient trust in the provider
• Good patient-provider communication
• Increased likelihood that patients will receive appropriate care

AI/AN FACTS:

• American Indian/Alaska Natives had the lowest proportion of persons with health insurance in 2008 with 71.6%, compared to; Asian (86.1%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (77.4%), African American (82.0%), White (83.3%).
• The proportion of American Indian/Alaska Native with health insurance fell from 71.6% in 2008 to 56.0% in 2010. This 15.6% decrease in the proportion of AI/AN with health insurances is 5 times greater than the second largest decrease in the proportion of persons with health insurance (Asians with a 3.2% decrease).

» Return to Healthy People 2020 Main Page