Primary Care Access in Mecklenburg Report Now Available

Used for 2023 budget cover

At Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH), the mission is to promote and protect public health. Every three years, MCPH conducts a Community Health Assessment to better understand the health needs, priorities, and trends through a comprehensive review of community health data.   

“Access to primary care continues to be one of the leading health concerns for Mecklenburg County residents. This report provides a snapshot of the current landscape, offers some recommendations for all community stakeholders, and of course, the data to inform the decisions and progress going forward,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, director of Mecklenburg County Public Health.  

 The Primary Care Access in Mecklenburg County Report is now available. 

Highlights from the report: 

  • Primary care is fundamental to ensuring the health of individuals and families.  
  • Affordable health insurance is foundational to accessing care. 
  • Per the US Census, 11% of Mecklenburg residents -- or almost 125,000 people. 
  • BC were without any form of health insurance (private or public) at some time during 2020.  
    • Uninsured rates are higher among young populations, males, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons experiencing unemployment. 
  • 23% of residents reported not having a primary care provider according to the 2021 Mecklenburg County Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. 
  • When people lack access to primary care, conditions that could be managed through regular, low-level contact with the healthcare system can become more severe and require more expensive and complex care.  
  • North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid. According to a 2019 estimate, expansion could provide coverage for an additional 64,281 Mecklenburg County residents.   
  • Increasing access to primary care is challenging and success will require innovative solutions that engage the entire community. These strategies include:  
    • Reducing the uninsured population 
    • Increasing the capacity of the current primary care system to serve under- and uninsured residents 
    • Educating the public on the importance of primary care 
    • Expanding awareness of current resources available.