North Carolina's health disparities report shows a quickly aging population and lack of rural health care access

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently released its analysis of health disparities across the state. The report focuses on multiple aspects of an individual's health including health care access, chronic disease and mental health.

The 70-page Health Disparities Analysis Report praises North Carolina’s recent push to increase Medicaid enrollment. It also highlights the fact that the state’s population is becoming increasingly older. 

According to the study, by 2031 there will be more North Carolinians over the age of 65 than there will be children. 

The report shows many of the well-known disparities among different communities remain unchanged. 

Hispanic residents are nearly four times less likely to be insured when compared to white people.

HIV cases are eight times higher among the state’s Black population when compared to its white population — and child mortality is the highest among Native Americans. 

The analysis shows health care access is the lowest in the state’s most rural areas. Nearly 75% of its counties have patient-to-provider ratios higher than 1,500 to one. These include Alamance, Yadkin and Randolph. 

More populous counties like Guilford, Durham and Mecklenburg have much lower ratios. Forsyth County has the fifth lowest in the state at 863 patients per provider. 

Santiago Ochoa covers healthcare for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. Follow him on X and Instagram: @santi8a98