Access to
Care & Transportation
19% of surveyed residents in Northern Summit County identified lack of nearby public transportation as a serious problem—much higher than the countywide 7%.
why it matters
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Access to care depends on more than whether services exist. Transportation, distance, insurance, provider availability, and the ability to navigate systems can all determine whether someone actually receives the help they need.
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Transportation barriers can be especially difficult for older adults, people with disabilities, low-income families, and residents without reliable vehicles. A missed ride can mean a missed medical appointment, work shift, childcare connection, or essential service.
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When care is delayed or difficult to reach, health concerns can worsen and small challenges can become larger ones. Strong transportation and accessible services help connect residents to the resources that support health and stability.
by the numbers
Key realities shaping life in Greater Akron.
1 in 5
community members identified the cost of healthcare services as a barrier to receiving care.
2 in 5
identified long wait times as a barrier to accessing healthcare.
1 in 3
said a lack of available providers made it harder to get care.
1 in 5
said not knowing where to go was a barrier to getting the help they needed.
4x
Workers living in poverty are four times more likely to rely on public transportation to get to work.
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1 in 7
reported transportation as a barrier to accessing healthcare.
All data presented was obtained from partners and publicly available sources across Greater Akron. Data reflects the most recent information available at the time of collection and may vary by reporting period, geography, or methodology.
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prayer
Pray for people struggling to reach the help they need. Ask God to provide access to medical care, mental health services, healthy food, employment, education, and other essential resources.
Pray for reliable transportation. Ask God to strengthen systems and solutions that help people get where they need to go safely and consistently.
Pray for gaps to become connections. Ask God to help churches, organizations, healthcare providers, businesses, and neighbors work together so fewer people fall through the cracks.