washingtonpost.com
Nearly half of the counties in the United States lack a single cardiologist, highlighting the severe shortage of specialized healthcare in rural areas, according to a recent study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The research revealed that over 46 percent of U.S. counties have no cardiologist, with those regions often experiencing higher rates of cardiovascular disease risk factors like smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure.
The lack of cardiologists puts an additional strain on primary care physicians in these areas, who are already in short supply, further exacerbating healthcare disparities between rural and urban populations.
The study also found that patients in counties without cardiologists often face long travel distances to receive specialized care, averaging an 87-mile round trip compared to 16 miles in counties with cardiologists. This shortage is not only a burden for patients, but also contributes to worse health outcomes as rural areas tend to have higher rates of severe cardiovascular diseases and deaths.
While telemedicine has helped bridge the gap in some regions, inconsistent broadband access limits its effectiveness. The researchers emphasize the need for greater investment in rural healthcare infrastructure and resources to address this growing crisis.
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