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Affordability/Access

According to the Cost of Living Index provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research, the cost of healthcare in Dubuque is about 4% lower than the national average. In Dubuque the median household income is $44,599 – lower than the national median income by 19% ($53,046: 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates). Dubuque County also shows a lower rate of primary care physicians per 100,000 residents compared to the national average, which could make access difficult.

FROM THE SURVEY:

  • 67.59% of respondents have a concern about affordability in healthcare compared to 18.98% who do not have concerns about affordability. Respondents with a household income of $25,000-$49,999 had the highest concern about affordability (81.25%).
  • 72.77% believe Dubuque offers quality healthcare options, compared to 12.68% who do not believe there are quality healthcare options.

FROM THE DIALOGUES:

  • There are many quality options for healthcare in the Dubuque community; as a small community, there are many qualities Dubuque is lucky to have so many great healthcare facilities.
  • Those on assistance programs have fewer medical care facilities to choose from, which can cause issues.
  • There are not enough doctors in Dubuque to fill the need of the community. There are often long wait times when you try to make an appointment with a provider.

Categories

Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health equity as follows: every person has the opportunity to attain his or her full potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstance. Access to quality healthcare is an important factor in achieving health equity, however, there are a number of factors that can affect one's health including: social conditions, economic conditions, environmental conditions, health behaviors, disease or injury and mortality. Health inequities are considered differences in health that are avoidable, unfair and unjust according to the CDC definition. These differences are based largely on one's social and economic conditions. Read more about the Community Equity Profile and our process → Download a pdf of Health (Equity Profile introduction and Dubuque's demographics will be included) →

Health

  • Food Access

    This indicator reports the percentage of the population living in census tracts designated as food deserts. A food desert is defined as a low-income census tract, where a substantial number or share of residents has low access to a supermarket or large grocery store. This data is relevant because it highlights populations and geographies facing […]

  • Uninsured Population

    The lack of health insurance is considered a key driver of health status. This data reports the percentage of adults age 18 to 64 without health insurance coverage. Lack of insurance is a primary barrier to healthcare access including regular primary care, specialty care and other health services that contribute to poor health status. FROM […]

  • Mental Healthcare

    According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dubuque County is designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area for mental health. This designation is made when there is a lack of providers to meet the needs of the population. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, from 2008-2012 the suicide death rate […]

  • Affordability/Access

    According to the Cost of Living Index provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research, the cost of healthcare in Dubuque is about 4% lower than the national average. In Dubuque the median household income is $44,599 – lower than the national median income by 19% ($53,046: 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates). Dubuque […]

  • Disease Prevalence by Household Income

    The Disease Prevalence by Household Income chart shows the percentage of the Iowa population who have been diagnosed with the disease listed. In most cases, the disease prevalence is higher when the household income is lower. FROM THE SURVEY: An average of 79.7% of those with a household income greater than $50,000 receive their regular […]