Travel Costs and Health Disparities: The Impact of Rurality and Social Vulnerability on Hand Therapy Access in Alabama

Key Points

• The research aims to understand how rurality and social vulnerability affect access to hand therapy in Alabama.
• Analyzed travel costs associated with accessing hand therapy services in rural areas.
• Assessed the social vulnerability of populations to identify barriers to care.
• Identified geographical isolation as a critical factor influencing therapy access.
• Rural populations face higher travel costs, limiting therapy access.
• Socially vulnerable groups encounter greater barriers to accessing postoperative care.
• Targeted interventions are needed to address these access issues for equitable healthcare.