Key Takeaways

Even a relatively short drive to the doctor can present a health care barrier

A drive of 19 miles or more increases the likelihood a person won’t get regular check-ups or cancer screenings

They’re also more likely to show up to an emergency room to get basic health care

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 5, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Even a relatively short drive to see a family doctor can hamper a person’s access to health care, a new study says.

A family physician located as little as 19 miles away is associated with fewer office visits, less cancer screening and a higher likelihood of getting basic health care at an emergency room, researchers reported Nov. 3 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal .

“Our research shows that people use the emergency room not just because they do

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