1. Breaking Barriers: Non-Profit Models for Solving Health Disparities in Rural
North Carolina
Anna Muesing, JoHonna Alcon, Sarah Anne Barton, Travis Breese, Karen Best, Ben Knapp, Monelle Shuman, Marcus Thompson,
Mason Simpson, & Kourtnei Williams
Adapted from: Eberhardt, M. S., & Pamuk, E. R. (2004). The importance of place of residence: Examining health in rural and nonrural areas. American Journal of Public Health, 94(10), 1682-6.
Harnett County Department of Public Health. (n.d.). Harnett county 2013 community health assessment. Harnett.org.
Truven Health Analytics. (October 2013). Factfile, avoidable emergency department usage. Health Leaders Media.
Results
Model one and two process maps are two different routes
the health aggregator non-profit could take. Both models
alleviate health disparities by: increasing access to healthy
food, providing patient education, and access to programs
with community gardens. Both models provide patients
with access to primary care physician (PCP) and specialty
doctors. By assisting in locating and providing
transportation to PCP and specialty doctors, patients will
have better access to receive follow-up treatment. Raising
rankings in clinical care and health behaviors by providing
patients with better care integration, and education on
unhealthy behaviors. Harnett County’s health rankings will
be from the ER provider to PCP, connect patients with
resources in the community, channel medical questions to
ER provider or PCP, distribute patient educational
resources, and develop community garden, if community
does not have one.
Conclusion
Harnett County has many health disparities to overcome
that could be addressed with increased coordination of
care through preventative care and health education. This
organization would provide Harnett County residents
access to services they typically would not receive.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Dr. Abbey, who helped guide us through the
research. Also we would like to thank Campbell University
and the Lundy School of Business for providing us this with
this opportunity.
Abstract
Rural health disparities stem from a lack of access to care,
an inability to afford care, and a lack of knowledge of
how to obtain proper care (Eberhardt & Pamuk, 2004).
Due to this and other health disparities (such as low
County Health Ratings and national ER usage trends) in
Harnett County, we created non-profit models that help
to alleviate these health disparities. The models focus on
using community resources, patient education, and
better access to care for those who are seen in the ER.
Problem
A report provided by the County Rankings and Roadmaps
website ranked Harnett County 63rd out of 100 (with one
being the best) for “Health Factors” (2015, para 1). This
low ranking stems from several different factors,
including an uninsured rate of 20% and the number
enrolled in Medicare programs. (Harnett County
Department of Public Health, n.d.). The number of
primary care physicians (PCP) in Harnett County is one
per every 3735 people while the target is one PCP per
1067 people. Mental health providers are also a cause for
concern in Harnett County, with only two practicing
psychologists in the area (Harnett County Department of
Public Health, n.d.).
Introduction
Health disparities in Harnett County, NC can be reduced
by breaking the barriers to a healthy lifestyle. This is done
through the use of post-emergency room follow-up and
using community resources.
Model 1
Model 2