Edited release
01/19/23
University of Iowa Health Care is addressing the health care access gap in Iowa City’s southeast neighborhood by planning more primary care services in the underserved area.
An analysis by UI Health Care found that although the southeast side of Iowa City is the most densely populated part of the city, it has the fewest primary care options. Many residents must travel outside of their immediate community to access care, which studies have shown increase people’s use of emergency departments and urgent care as their main source of health care. This inefficient use of health care services increases costs, causes backlogs, and increases a person’s likelihood of developing chronic diseases.
In a release from the City of Iowa City, Mayor Bruce Teague said that placing primary care services in the under-served Southeast Neighborhood can have a positive impact on the health of the community for years to come.
The construction of a primary care health facility in southeast Iowa City is among many projects UI Health Care has in the works. Once complete, the facility will house most of the primary care services currently located at the main campus of UI Hospitals & Clinics. No location or timeline has been announced.