#United States #Nashville #Dispensary of Hope #Ascension #Charitable Medication

New Research Identifies Medication Deserts in the U.S.

In a landmark study released by Dispensary of Hope, a subsidiary of Ascension, researchers have brought attention to alarming disparities in access to charitable medication providers across the United States. This research, leveraging data from various significant sources, has pinpointed locations where individuals lack access to affordable medications.

Collaboration with Belmont University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences led to the creation of a unique assessment tool called the Charitable Medication Desert Index (CMDI). This index categorizes counties and ZIP codes based on uninsured rates and access to medications, revealing areas in desperate need of these vital services.

Scott Cornwell, the CEO of Dispensary of Hope, expressed concern over the findings, stating, "This research revealed alarming gaps in medication access, particularly in specific geographic hotspots. Identifying these medication deserts is crucial for ensuring that all individuals have affordable access to the medications they require, regardless of their financial situation."

The study focused on the data surrounding uninsured Americans, utilizing sources such as the Census 2023 American Community Survey data, organizational records, and state pharmacy licensing databases. It illustrates a nuanced picture of how medication access significantly varies across the country, highlighting the critical need for improved charitable medication services.

Others involved in this pivotal research included Mary Lankford, PharmD, and Peaches Brown, a PharmD candidate from Belmont University. Lankford noted that often, one charitable medication provider can serve around a thousand patients. However, her findings indicated numerous regions where the need vastly exceeds the available resources. "The data strongly suggests that expanding charitable medication networks in these identified areas could reduce healthcare disparities and improve outcomes regarding hospitalizations and emergency department visits," she explained.

Unsettling Realities in Rural and Urban Areas

The study identified profound gaps in both rural and urban settings. In rural communities like Millersburg, Ohio, residents face challenges, having to travel nearly 17 miles to access the nearest charitable medication provider. In Laredo, Texas, more than 22,000 uninsured residents know this struggle all too well, highlighting the significant gaps in access that persist.

Urban centers also reveal startling insights. In Houston, Texas, the study identified a staggering coverage gap affecting over 38,500 uninsured individuals, despite several charitable providers nearby. This juxtaposition of proximity yet inaccessibility poses critical challenges for those in underserved areas, exacerbating health disparities.

Bridging the Gap

The potential for charitable pharmacies to mitigate healthcare disparities is substantial, yet operational limits arise due to insufficient funding and absence of a public registry. "While charitable pharmacies play a crucial role in addressing these disparities, realizing their full potential in closing gaps in access requires substantial improvements in data infrastructure and more extensive support for these providers," asserted Lankford, hoping for systematic changes in the future.

This recent study builds upon previous assertions that access to affordable medications can significantly enhance health outcomes and decrease hospitalizations within vulnerable populations. Eduardo Conrado, President of Ascension, emphasized the human aspect of this research, stating, "This study focuses on tangible realities that affect real lives. Many individuals are forced to make impossible choices, and it's pivotal that we make medications accessible to all, particularly those who cannot afford them."

The findings were recently shared at the American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting held in Nashville from March 21–24, 2025.

About Dispensary of Hope

Dispensary of Hope functions as a crucial nonprofit medication distributor located in Nashville. By connecting pharmaceutical manufacturers with safety-net health care providers, it aims to deliver free medications to low-income and uninsured patients. Licensed to distribute across all 50 states, it is committed to ensuring higher health standards and reducing waste within the healthcare sector.

With overarching policies in place, such as the mission of providing $2.1 billion in care to those in poverty, organizations like Ascension aim to address and eventually close these alarming coverage gaps—bringing dignity and health back into the lives of those in need.