Research Alert: October 10, 2022

Changes in Access to Nearest Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics Among Rural ZIP Codes That Did and Did Not Experience a Hospital Closure, 2006-2018

This brief explores changes in geographic accessibility, within rural ZIP codes throughout the U.S., to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) between 2016 and 2018. It compares changes in access to services within rural counties that experienced the loss of its nearest hospital to changes in access that were experienced within rural counties that never experienced a hospital closure.

Key Findings

• By 2018, over half of all rural ZIP codes were within 30 miles of its nearest FQHC.
• By 2018, approximately 18% of rural ZIP codes were within 30 miles of its nearest RHC.
• Compared to ZIP codes not affected by a rural hospital closure, the affected rural ZIP codes saw an improved access to both FQHCs and RHCs.

Additional Resources of Interest:

• Changes in Access to Community Health Services Among Rural Areas Affected and Unaffected by Hospital Closures Between 2006 and 2018: A Comparative Interrupted Time Series Study
• More information about the University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
• More information from the Rural Health Information Hub's topic guides: Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics