Introduction
Health care, including insurance coverage of medical care and prescriptions, has become increasingly complex and expensive in recent years. In addition, the rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity has resulted in a greater focus on lifestyle, behavior, and nutrition in health care, as these are increasingly recognized as important factors in health and longevity.
In this report, we focus on two fundamental aspects of access among adults—health care coverage and regular care providers—and examine their relationship with the receipt of quality medical services. Both are critical to making health care accessible throughout the boroughs, forming a cornerstone of Take Care New York, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's 10-point policy to improve the health of all New Yorkers. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/health/tcny.
The report is divided into sections that reflect the likely steps involved in access to quality health care:
- Insurance and a regular care provider
- Cost barriers
- Identification of a site for care
- Interaction with medical providers
- Receipt of appropriate preventive care, such as screenings and immunizations
A detailed table of these indicators can be found in the Appendix.
In each category, New Yorkers face important challenges. We hope this report will help community organizations, providers, and policy makers to expand access and target resources to groups in greatest need.