Underprivileged = Underserved?

[DrWily]

Sorry if this has been discussed already, I tried to do a quick search, but I admit I'm pretty lazy too.

Having trouble defining underprivileged communities. I know poor neighborhoods, homeless, etc are underprivileged, but does living in an underserved area also count as underprivileged?

I'm trying to say that I previously lived in an underprivileged area because I used to reside in a semi-rural town that only had one adult clinic staffed by two physicians. Closest hospital was ~30 min away. Usually a pretty busy wait to get an appointment.

Thanks in advance.

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[TriagePreMed]

This is interesting. My take would be that an underserved area is underprivileged, but not the other way around necessarily.

 

[DrWily]

This is interesting. My take would be that an underserved area is underprivileged, but not the other way around necessarily.

I agree with what you said, but what makes a rural area underprivileged? Not privileged with available healthcare or a hospital? Makes it just sound like its underserved. So confused.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I agree with what you said, but what makes a rural area underprivileged? Not privileged with available healthcare or a hospital? Makes it just sound like its underserved. So confused.

I would have to say availability of resources in general: jobs, food, electricity, water, sanitation, etc. It's open to your interpretation as well. I really doubt that anyone would hear about a rural community without access to health care and doubt it's underprivileged or underserved status.

 

[DrWily]

I would have to say availability of resources in general: jobs, food, electricity, water, sanitation, etc. It's open to your interpretation as well. I really doubt that anyone would hear about a rural community without access to health care and doubt it's underprivileged or underserved status.

Thanks

 

[costales]

I use this definition for 'underserved':
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/shortageareas/index.html
Medically Underserved Areas/Populations are areas or populations designated by HRSA as having: too few primary care providers, high infant mortality, high poverty and/or high elderly population.

 

[DrWily]

I use this definition for 'underserved':
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/shortageareas/index.html
Medically Underserved Areas/Populations are areas or populations designated by HRSA as having: too few primary care providers, high infant mortality, high poverty and/or high elderly population.

Well I understand that, but does that mean the area can also be considered "underprivileged" is my question.

For the Lolz, I put in my address into that website:
In a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area: No
In a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area: No
In a Dental Care Health Professional Shortage Area: No
In a Medically Underserved Area/Population: Yes

Errr, what? Im assuming its just medically underserved since the hospital/trauma center is so far away.