An evaluation of Project TRIP: A program that aims to reduce barriers to health care and increase the health and well-being of disadvantaged rural adults in eastern North Carolina

The present project will develop sustainable solutions related to issues of access to health care for low-income adults in rural eNC. One community-based transportation program, Project TRIP works to increase access to care for underserved populations in rural eNC. TRIP provides transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, places for socialization, and resource centers for vulnerable patients in Hertford and Bertie counties. TRIP collaborators wish to continue and expand the program to other rural counties in the eNC-29-sub-region, but have never formally evaluated or assessed TRIP to best understand how to do so. The proposed project includes two key objectives that are crucial in assisting TRIP in its desire to become a sustainable and expandable service. These include: 1) Completion of an evaluation of TRIP to determine its effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability, and 2) Identify existing needs, barriers, and facilitators to transportation, health systems, and service providers in Washington County, a county to which TRIP wishes to expand. A cost benefit analysis component of the study will also inform how TRIP can be developed to ensure sustainability. Findings from the proposed project will be used to seek sustainable funding mechanisms to maintain and expand TRIP.

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