Location of Healthcare Resources and Perceptions of Access among Rural Dwelling Older Georgians

Framed by Anderson’s Behavioral Model of Health Services and institutional racism, this study examines the relationship between age and perceptions of access to health care resources within local communities. Multi-variate models will be used to assess perceived access to quality health care among older adults in rural Georgia examining the relative impact of age, race, income, barriers accessing local doctors/providers, issues related to distance/transportation on residents’ perceptions and the role of community support. State-level analysis detailing rural residents’ perceptions of access-to-care is expansive but lacks inclusion of individuals’ perception of access as they progress to old age. Findings indicate that age, race and income are important predictors of perceived transportation barriers to health care access and perceived access to local doctors/providers. Policy recommendations include expanding community/private/government partnerships, encouraging public communication of access concerns, and state-level commitment to support the development of health care resources in underserved rural communitie