Trends and inequities in primary and emergency care use among older adults in British Columbia: an analysis across age, sex, income, and rurality (2018–2023)

The COVID-19 pandemic induced a lasting alteration to the healthcare landscape for older adults in BC. While virtual care has become a permanent fixture, it has not uniformly offset persistent deficits in in-person care. The recovery period has exacerbated structural inequities, revealing an "inverse care" pattern where populations with substantial needs - specifically rural residents, low-income older adults, and older males - face the greatest barriers to preventative care.