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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Transportation can determine whether someone receives care at all. When residents lack reliable transportation, they are more likely to face difficulty getting to medical appointments, pharmacies, mental health services, and other essential resources.
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Transportation barriers hit vulnerable residents hardest. Older adults, people with disabilities, low-income families, and residents without reliable vehicles can have fewer options for reaching healthcare, employment, food, and other necessities.
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Missing care can turn small problems into bigger ones. Delayed or missed appointments can allow preventable health issues to worsen, potentially increasing emergency-room use and creating additional costs for families and the healthcare system.
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Access affects more than health. Reliable transportation connects Summit County residents to jobs, education, childcare, healthcare, and community resources. Improving mobility can strengthen both individual stability and the community as a whole.
Akron by the numbers
41.7%
identified transportation to appointments as a barrier to accessing healthcare.
23.6%
reported difficulty finding the right healthcare provider.
17.3%
identified distance to healthcare providers as an access barrier.
7.4%
of Summit County residents under age 65 are without health insurance.
4x
Workers living in poverty are four times more likely to rely on public transportation to get to work.
7%
of surveyed residents said not having public transportation nearby was a serious problem.
5%
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