Disparities in Timely Access to Certified Stroke Care Among US Census Tracts, by Prevalence of Health Risk Factors

Timely access to stroke care reduces death and disability due to stroke. Studies have investigated disparities in access by sociodemographic characteristics but not comorbidity prevalence. We used updated data to assess both types of disparities in drive times to certified stroke centers nationwide.

We conducted a cross-sectional spatial analysis of drive time from each contiguous US census tract (N = 72,517), using population-weighted centroids, to any certified stroke care (n = 1,825) or advanced (ie, endovascular-capable) stroke care (n = 426), using 2022 data from multiple state and nationwide databases. We compared median comorbidity prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics for census tracts within versus beyond a 60-minute drive time, using US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention PLACES 2020 data.

Median (interquartile range) drive time was 11.8 (7.6-21.6) minutes to any certified stroke care, and 23.0 (12.6-53.9) minutes to advanced stroke care. Approximately 20% of the US adult population (n = 49 million) resided in census tracts beyond a 60-minute drive from advanced stroke care; most (65%) were rural. Census tracts more than 60 minutes from advanced stroke care had significantly higher prevalence of stroke, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, fair or poor self-rated health status, smoking, and obesity. They also had higher poverty rates, lower educational attainment, lower median income, and higher proportions of non-Hispanic White people and people older than 65 years.

Residents in census tracts lacking timely access to stroke care have higher prevalence of health risk factors. The results highlight areas where education, telehealth infrastructure, and facility placement could improve stroke systems of care.