On Jan. 19, CVS Health announced via a press release that it will be collaborating with Uber Health, Uber's healthcare arm, to provide critical transportation support at no cost to individuals who need it most when seeking access to medical care, work, or educational programs.
The release states that “The relationship is part of Health Zones, CVS Health's new initiative that provides concentrated local investments designed to reduce health disparities and advance health equity in high-risk communities across the country. Health Zones is an integrated approach to addressing six key social determinants of health: housing, education, access to food, labor, transportation, and healthcare access. The Health Zones initiative is now active in five markets nationwide: Atlanta, GA; Columbus, OH; Fresno, CA; Hartford, CT; and Phoenix, AZ with plans to expand into more cities later this year. Working with trusted national and local partners, CVS Health is addressing community healthcare needs, ensuring at-risk communities have access to resources and opportunities that can help them thrive.”
The release adds that CVS Health and Uber Health are aiming to help eliminate barriers to care and overall well-being transportation, as it can limit and individual’s ability to receive medical care and lead to adverse health outcomes. The rides with will be available to a target population living in three of the five Health Zones: Atlanta, GA; Columbus, OH; and Hartford, CT. The release says that there are plans to enter more cities later this year.
“For Uber Health, the relationship with CVS Health is a natural extension of its broader commitment to improving population healthcare management, so more people can achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles,” the release continues. “Its HIPAA-supported solution is utilized by more than 2,000 healthcare organizations across the U.S.”
Caitlin Donovan, global head of Uber Health was quoted in the release saying that "We've long known that access to reliable transportation can help address critical gaps in care that often disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. With the past two years of the pandemic only further highlighting today's health inequities, it's more important than ever for communities to have the tools they need to bridge care gaps and achieve better patient and population health outcomes.”
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