Delta Rural Access Program: Increasing Access to Preventive Health Care in Western Alabama
Overview
This paper examines the Delta Rural Access Program (DRAP) in Western Alabama and its role in improving preventive health care access for economically disadvantaged rural populations. The paper argues that DRAP effectively reduces chronic disease risk through preventive services, education, and pharmacy assistance, demonstrating measurable health improvements among participants.
What this research paper covers
- Introduction establishing Alabama's poverty, unemployment, and uninsured rates alongside barriers to healthcare access
- Overview of Delta Rural Access Program services including enrollment, education campaigns, pharmacy assistance, and diabetes prevention classes
- Results and evidence of program effectiveness showing significant improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure metrics between 2010-2013
Preview
About Delta Rural Access Program: Increasing Access to Preventive Health Care in Western Alabama.
Author Name(s), First M. Last, Omit Titles and Degrees
Institutional Affiliation
Delta Rural Access Program
As of 2019, Alabama was the 6th poorest state in the United States, with 16.9% of the population living below the federal government’s threshold (Staff, 2019). This rate exceeds the national average of 13.4% by more than three points. Further, statistics indicate that Alabama has an unemployment rate of 5%, while 9.4% of the population is uninsured (Staff, 2020). Coupled with lack of transportation, limited access to the internet, inability to interpret healthcare information, and inability to pay premiums, Alabama rural areas residents struggle to access healthcare. With the increasing cases of chronic diseases, these people are at high risk.
Data from WHO suggests that diabetes caused 2.8% of deaths in 2015, an increase from 2000’s 1.8% (WHO, 2019). At this rate, there is an increasing need to help the people of Alabama access health services. The Delta Rural Access Program (DRAP) provides preventive services for individuals at risk of developing chronic conditions (ODPHP, 2020). Further, DRAP seeks to increase residents’ access to prescription drugs. Activities involved in DRAP include enrollment activities, education campaigns, pharmacy assistance, diabetes prevention classes, and health screening.
Results are showing that the DRAP is effective; between 2010 and 2013, for instance, about 300 adults decreased their overall blood sugar by 15%, cholesterol by 12%, and blood pressure by 28% after undergoing the Power to Prevent Curriculum (ODPHP, 2020).