The percent of adults with a personal health care provider is a good indicator of health care access. This measures adults who report having one or more than one health provider. NH and VT have relatively high rates of coverage, with age-adjusted rates of 85.2% and 85.6% in 2017, compared to the national rate of 77.5%. Rates in our region are similar to state levels. In the D-H/ADP region, 86% of adults reported having a personal health care provider in 2016. The Upper Valley public health region of NH had a crude rate of 89.6% in 2015 compared to 88.5% for in NH. Similarly, Windsor County, VT had a rate of 86% compared to 87.9% for the state. Rates of adults with a personal health care provider have remained relatively flat in the US and in NH and VT over the past several years. Having health insurance increases the likelihood of having a personal health provider and financial barriers should be addressed to increase adequate access to health care.

Data source: DH/APD Community Health Needs Assessment, CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, VT Dept of Health, NH DHHS, composite statistic.