Pharmacy Closures Leave Vulnerable Communities Without Access to Healthcare
Introduction
After decades of expansion, the nation’s largest drugstore chains are closing hundreds of stores as they reorient their operations against rising competition, a crush of opioid lawsuits and other forces — turning many already vulnerable communities into pharmacy deserts.
The Impact on Communities
Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens have announced plans to collectively shutter more than 1,500 stores, disproportionately affecting predominantly Black, Latinx, and low-income neighborhoods. According to experts, approximately one in four neighborhoods across the country are considered pharmacy deserts, exacerbating health disparities and limiting access to essential healthcare services.
The Importance of Pharmacies
Pharmacies play a crucial role in providing healthcare services, particularly in rural or low-income areas. They serve as lifelines for communities with limited access to healthy and affordable food, and pharmacists are often the most accessible healthcare professionals in these areas. However, increased competition, changing consumer behaviors, retail crime, staffing shortages, and minimal store investment have made it economically challenging for national pharmacy chains to continue operating.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The closure of pharmacies in vulnerable communities directly impacts progress towards several SDGs, including:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Limited access to pharmacies hinders healthcare delivery and exacerbates health disparities.
- SDG 1: No Poverty – Low-income communities are disproportionately affected by pharmacy closures.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Pharmacy deserts contribute to racial and economic disparities in healthcare outcomes.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The redistribution of pharmacies away from low-income and minority neighborhoods disrupts access to essential services and exacerbates the “urban health penalty”.
The Future of Pharmacies
Retail analysts predict more pharmacy closures as national chains face increased competition, lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic, staffing challenges, and changing consumer preferences. Independent pharmacies, which make up a significant portion of the pharmacy landscape, are also under pressure due to similar factors. The closures could further worsen health disparities and limit access to vital healthcare services.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article discusses the closure of drugstore chains, which can lead to limited access to pharmacies and healthcare services in vulnerable communities. This relates to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It also addresses SDG 10, as the closures disproportionately affect communities that are already vulnerable, such as Black, Latinx, and low-income neighborhoods. Additionally, it connects to SDG 11, as the closures contribute to the creation of pharmacy deserts in urban areas.
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.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are related to ensuring access to essential healthcare services and medicines (Target 3.8), promoting social and economic inclusion (Target 10.2), and providing universal access to safe and accessible public spaces (Target 11.7).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability
- Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but the identified targets can be measured using indicators such as the coverage of essential health services (Indicator 3.8.1), the proportion of people living below a certain income threshold (Indicator 10.2.1), and the share of open space in cities for public use (Indicator 11.7.1).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 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. | Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. | Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities |
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Source: washingtonpost.com
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