Medically underserved areas/populations are geographic areas designated as having too few primary care providers, high infant mortality, high poverty or a high elderly population. This definition also includes shortages of primary medical care, dental or mental health providers.

Some barriers to care for medically underserved areas and populations include:

  • Economic factors
  • Cultural factors
  • Linguistic factors

Locally, black, indigenous people of color (BIPOC) and other minorities only make up 30% of the population in Louisville but are the largest poverty group in the city. This group also makes up most of the population in the west and south portions of the city, both being medically underserved areas.

In the west and south ends, those who do not have reliable personal transportation would be unfortunately out of luck to seek immediate medical attention without the use of public transportation or other means of arrangements. The other option would be to walk, which is not ideal in emergency situations, and would be at least a 45 minute to an hour walk to the nearest location in the area.

Even though infant mortality rates have decreased, black babies in Louisville are still two to three times more likely to die than white babies. The overall life expectancy is also significantly lower in these underserved areas compared to those in east Louisville.

The opening of UofL Health – Urgent Care Plus in the Parkland neighborhood brings a health care center into a landlocked area providing the availability to nearby senior citizens, families and young children. The new Urgent Care Plus location is set to open on July 6, bringing a wide range of services including primary and urgent care providers, routine exams and preventative care. Community-based health services such as occupational medicine and Department of Transportation physicals and drug testing will also be available.

Need urgent care? Find the “Power of U” in your neighborhood online and check wait times here. Monday through Saturday, all Urgent Care Plus location see patients from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday’s hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

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Tamea Evans, M.D.

Dr. Tamea Evans is a native of Flint, Michigan. She has lived in Kentucky since 1995. After being a stay-at-home mom, she ventured back into school to study medicine. She is a practicing internal medicine physician and a practicing diabetologist (a physician, including endocrinologists, whose practice is concentrated mainly in diabetes care. She received her undergraduate degree from Kalamazoo College in Health Sciences in 1993. She attended the University Of Kentucky College Of Medicine earning her Doctorate of Medicine degree in 2003. She further trained at the University of Kentucky and the Christ Hospital in Cincinnati for her Internal Medicine residency and internship, respectively. Her goal is to provide quality comprehensive care to adult patients. Her interests include Comprehensive Primary Care, Women’s Care and Diabetic Health. She is an active community leader. She is a charter member of the recently re-established Falls City Medical Society where she serves as chapter secretary. She also serves on the Louisville Chapter of the NAACP Health Committee. She serves as a member of the Health and Human Services Facet for the Louisville Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. In her spare time, she enjoys public speaking, community service and spending time with her family. Her current practice is with the University of Louisville Physicians Group in the West End of Louisville, Kentucky. She is has been married to her husband, Rodney for 25 years. They have two adult daughters, one son plus two beautiful grandchildren.

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