Access to Health CareWashington County, Oregon
Access to Health Care
Ensuring access to health care providers is an important way to improve public health outcomes for residents in Washington County. In particular, vital health care services can be prohibitively expensive without health insurance. While the uninsured rate has fallen in recent years, it remains unevenly distributed across the United States, and within Washington County as well. And even when Washington County residents do have health insurance coverage, people with limited funds, mobility issues, or lack of transportation options still may not be able to get the care they need.
Ensuring access to health care providers is an important way to improve public health outcomes
Health Insurance Coverage
Health insurance is any program that helps pay for medical expenses. There are two main types of health insurance: private and public. Private insurance is purchased from companies, either directly by individuals or by employers for their employees. Public insurance, which includes Medicare (for seniors) and Medicaid (for low-income Americans), is supplied by the government. Washington County residents may have more than one type of health insurance, so the percentages here do not add up to 100.
Where do uninsured residents live in Washington County?
Note: Hover over a census tract in Washington County to see the uninsured rate for that area. Use the time-slider beneath the map to see data for other five-year periods.
How does the uninsured rate vary by race in Washington County?
Health Care Provider Visits
Data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), indicate how often state residents receive medical care.
Within the past year, how many
residents visited:
A Doctor for Checkup
2017, BRFSS
A Dentist or Dental Clinic
2016, BRFSS
Mental Health Services
2016-2017, NSDUH
How many residents needed to see a doctor in the past 12 months, but could not afford it?
About the Data
Health insurance coverage data is from the American Community Survey, Table S2701. The percentage denominator is the population of noninstitutionalized civilians. Data for locations with populations under 60,000 is only available in 5-year estimates. This report uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Data about doctor and dental visits is from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Mental health service visit data is from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The data is an estimate based on a two-year period.