Social Vulnerability of Pediatric Populations Living in Ambulance Deserts

Of the 4.5 million people living in areas of the United States with limited access to ambulance services, approximately 20% are children aged 18 years and younger. Ambulance deserts (ADs) are defined as populated areas in the United States that are not accessible within 25 minutes of where an ambulance is stationed. Pediatric AD populations were more likely to live in rural areas and have higher rates of social vulnerability than children living in non-ADs. State-level AD populations vary in terms of racial and ethnic diversity, poverty, and uninsurance rates.