Analysisi of Geographic Accessibility of COVID-19 Test to Treat Sites by Race, Ethnicity, Age, and Rurality

Geographic Accessibility of COVID-19 Test to Treat Sites This cross-sectional study explores geographic disparities in antiviral access by quantifying the accessibility of COVID-19 Test to Treat sites for subpopulations by race, ethnicity, age, and rurality. JAMANetworkOpen

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This cross-sectional study found that approximately 15% of the overall US population, 30% of American Indian or Alaskan Native people, and 59% of the rural population lived more than 60 minutes from the nearest site. Rural populations had a median 58-minute longer drive to the nearest site compared with urban populations. American Indian or Alaskan Native populations had longer drive times even after accounting for rurality, suggesting that they are uniquely isolated from antiviral access despite bearing a disproportionate COVID-19 burden. Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations lived closer to sites, but geographic accessibility alone is insufficient for pharmacoequity. These populations have been less likely to receive outpatient COVID-19 therapeutics than White individuals despite elevated risk of infection and severe disease

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