A national survey commissioned by Plan B One-Step found women in rural communities face some of the steepest barriers to accessing quality healthcare.
Conducted by Impact Research and Echelon Insights for Center Forward, the survey of 1,206 registered voters found 45% of respondents believe the US healthcare system does a poor or very poor job meeting the needs of rural patients, the lowest-rated category in the survey.
Driven by hospital closures, pharmacy deserts, and provider shortages, rural women were 6 points more likely than voters overall to say they struggle to access quality healthcare. Meanwhile, 17% of women in rural areas called access to quality care a top personal concern, compared to 15% of urban women and 9% of suburban women.
Recognizing nationwide healthcare gaps, more than 80% of voters said it was important for women to have access to gynecological care, prenatal care, postpartum care, and over-the-counter emergency contraception. Of note, 71% said it should be easy for women to access OTC emergency contraception, while 76% said it should remain available over the counter.
“For a woman living in a rural community, access to over-the-counter emergency contraception can make all the difference,” said Tara Evans, Marketing for Plan B. “She may not have a clinic nearby. She may not be able to get an appointment quickly. Plan B being available over the counter, right there on the shelf, is not a convenience. For many rural women it is their only option.”
