Medicine, Miles, and Money: The Impact on South Jersey Communities
The Issue of Drugstore Deserts
Today’s report focuses on the concerning issue of drugstore deserts in South Jersey. This term, similar to food deserts, refers to communities that lack access to essential medications and healthcare services due to the closure of local pharmacies.
Paulsboro: A Dual Desert
One such community facing this challenge is Paulsboro in Gloucester County. Already struggling with the closure of its last full-service grocery store years ago, Paulsboro is now on the verge of becoming a dual desert. In May, the borough’s Rite Aid pharmacy closed its doors, and the nearby CVS is scheduled to shut down on August 22nd.
The Impact on the Community
The closure of these pharmacies has left many of Paulsboro’s approximately 6,300 residents separated by several miles from their prescription records. This lack of access to essential medications has caused significant distress and concern among the community members.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all | – Availability of drugstores in the community – Access to prescription records |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums | – Availability of essential services in communities, including drugstores |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article addresses the issue of a potential drugstore desert in Gloucester County, which can impact access to essential healthcare services and medicines for the community. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article also highlights the potential impact on the community of Paulsboro, which is on the verge of becoming a dual desert with the closure of both a grocery store and a pharmacy. This relates to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities by ensuring access to basic services.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
The potential drugstore desert in Gloucester County raises concerns about access to essential medicines for the community. Target 3.8 aims to ensure universal access to quality healthcare services and essential medicines.
Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
The closure of the Rite Aid pharmacy in Paulsboro and the impending closure of the nearby CVS raises concerns about access to basic services in the community. Target 11.1 focuses on ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services, including healthcare facilities.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Availability of drugstores in the community: The closure of the Rite Aid pharmacy and the impending closure of the CVS indicate a potential lack of drugstores in the area, which can impact access to essential medicines.
– Access to prescription records: The article mentions that residents of Paulsboro are upset with separation by several miles from their prescription records, indicating a potential barrier to accessing necessary medications.
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards achieving universal health coverage and ensuring access to basic services.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all | – Availability of drugstores in the community – Access to prescription records |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums | – Availability of essential services in communities, including drugstores |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: nj.com
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