33% of neighborhoods in largest US cities were 'pharmacy deserts'

Poor geographical access to pharmacies may contribute to health disparities, study shows

2021-05-03

(Press-News.org) Black and Latino neighborhoods in the 30 most populous U.S. cities had fewer pharmacies than white or diverse neighborhoods in 2007-2015, USC research shows, suggesting that 'pharmacy deserts'- like so-called food deserts-may be an overlooked contributor to persistent racial and ethnic health disparities.

Pharmacies are increasingly vital points of care for essential health services. In addition to filling prescriptions to treat chronic health conditions, pharmacists dispense emergency doses of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancy and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

But many neighborhoods in major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Memphis lack convenient access to a pharmacy, according to research published published today in the May issue of the journal END

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33% of neighborhoods in largest US cities were 'pharmacy deserts'

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