Prosperity Through Equity Survey Launched By Thomas P. Miller & Associates (TPMA) Reveals Massive Disparities In Accessing Mental and Physical Healthcare Support Amid COVID-19 Recovery

Thomas P. Miller and Associates (’TPMA’), a national workforce and economic development consulting firm, in launching its ’Prosperity Through Equity Survey’, an American stakeholder engagement initiative aimed at garnering actionable intelligence and insight from across 50 States, has derived that nearly seven in ten (69%) polled suggest that lack of access to quality healthcare, both mental and physical, remains a major concern, yet nearly half (44%) of respondents report that they continue to lack access to quality care in 2022 across the country.
 
The goal of the ‘Prosperity Through Equity’ study is to utilize the data in order to understand how rural communities may be afflicted by large-scale exogenous shocks such as COVID-19 and how their socioeconomic recovery compares and contrasts to urban communities; to identify the most pertinent economic development challenges across rural America and develop best practices and equitable policy initiatives that result in long-term sustainable solutions.
 
Access to quality healthcare was ranked as the fourth of the twelve most important needs across rural communities (63%). Access to mental health support came in seventh, at 57%, ahead of similarly critical issues such as childcare, community, infrastructure and crime prevention.
 
Andrea Adkins-Hutchins, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Thomas P. Miller & Associates stated that, “Accessibility, availability and acceptability all play a factor to the data derived from our Prosperity Through Equity Survey. It’s unfortunately a recurring trend – How to access help, how to distribute relief benefits; in many rural communities across America, these remain unknowns.
 
68% of our Survey respondents reported that there is not enough education about mental health in their communities; 64% said that the availability of quality mental health and support programs is another major barrier. The ultimate deficit of mental health professionals living in these areas would further imply that there are less specialty providers or practitioners that can offer comprehensive services for those who may need them most”.
 
A 2018 report from NIH stated that more than 60% of rural Americans lived in “mental health professional shortage areas,” with latest intelligence suggesting that COVID-19 and its myriad ramifications including social distancing restrictions, has dramatically exacerbated the issue.
 
In assessing access to physical wellness services and support, 60% polled suggest that the biggest barrier to quality healthcare is lack of financial resources while, in addressing infrastructure capacity gaps, 57% also cited a lack of transportation. 44% also pointed to availability as a barrier, figures particularly concerning as in the interest of removing barriers to receiving healthcare such as access to childcare, access to living-wage jobs, and access to reliable transportation, over 40% reported that there was “no plan in place” in their community to fulfill these needs.
 
Understanding the significance of the ’Prosperity Through Equity’ Survey’s findings, on offer as a pro bono public service to the policy-making community and to private sector stakeholders, TPMA plans to carry out the Survey annually in future. More information about the Prosperity Through Equity Survey and Solutions Challenge can be found here.
 

About Thomas P. Miller & Associates
 
For over 30 years, Thomas P. Miller & Associates (TPMA) has empowered organizations and communities to reach their goals through strategic planning and partnerships that create positive sustainable change. For more information, please visit Thomas P. Miller & Associates (tpma-inc.com).
 

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