Across the country, healthcare organizations are investing in planning and design strategies that aim to bring care closer to patients. Often, these efforts go hand in hand with goals to address social determinants of health (SDOH)—the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes—such as access to healthcare services, economic stability, housing, and education. Transportation also falls under the SDOH umbrella.
Unreliable transportation and missed appointments can lead to less continuity of care, decreased prescription fills, and more use of emergency services.