Achieving health equity through accessibility: An examination of FQHC placements and patient populations

Despite being the world’s wealthiest nation, many Americans have little to no access to healthcare, a disproportionate amount being Black and Hispanic. Though a 2019 study reveals that Blacks and Hispanics compose a small segment of the US population, they conversely lead the nation in poverty rates. This contrast that we see can be attributed to systemic barriers, negatively affecting these major racial groups. The debilitating effects of poverty extend to all aspects of one’s life, including healthcare. In an effort to combat the negative health outcomes experienced by communities in poverty, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) were introduced to alleviate the burden of paying for healthcare. The following study explores the strategic placement of FQHCs in Harris and Nueces counties, and whether they are located in their intended communities. This analysis also seeks to identify additional areas of research, related to the five As of access to care. The results of this study reveal that though Harris and Nueces counties have strategically placed FQHCs, other matters warranting examination have emerged. Though the answers to the fresh inquiries are beyond the scope of this study, it is with great hope that future studies will explore these queries.