How Big-Box Retailers Can Revitalize Rural Health Care

There's a surefire, and perhaps unlikely, way to bolster access to health care for underserved Americans—at the shopping mall.

Millions of Americans struggle to get affordable, timely medical care. Roughly one-quarter of rural Americans haven't been able to get needed care at some point in recent years, according to a May 2019 poll conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The main reasons? Affordability. Trouble scheduling an appointment. Having to travel a long distance.

Retailers can help overcome these barriers. In many rural communities, the local Walmart or CVS is not just an economic anchor but a civic institution. It's a gathering place for far-flung residents. And it may be the most convenient place for historically underserved populations to seek health care.

Adding telehealth capabilities to our existing retail infrastructure could significantly expand access to top-notch care—and reduce costs for patients and the healthcare system.

The full Forbes article can be viewed at this link.