Proximity to Healthcare Services Among Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Shiny Thomas; Treeva A. Jaff; Kristin M. Conway; Paul A. Romitti; Tabassum Z. Insaf; Kristin Sommerhalter; Amber Gedlinske; Emma Crenshaw; Nedra Whitehead; Brian Humphries; Reba Berry; Julie Royer; Joshua R. Mann; Sergey Krikov; Manju Jayasimha Pula Jayaram; Marcia L. Feldkamp; Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network (MD STARnet)

doi:10.1016/j.focus.2025.100443

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Proximity to Healthcare Services Among Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Proximity to Healthcare Services Among Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Shiny Thomas, Treeva A. Jaff, Kristin M. Conway, Paul A. Romitti, Tabassum Z. Insaf, Kristin Sommerhalter, Amber Gedlinske, Emma Crenshaw, Nedra Whitehead, Brian Humphries, …

AJPM Focus, Vol.5(1), 100443

02/2026

DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2025.100443

PMCID: PMC12765187

PMID: 41492420

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Abstract

Introduction The aim of our study was to describe travel from residence to healthcare facilities among individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Methods Our sample included 302 males with DMD, born and followed January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2015. Using geocoded residential and facility addresses, we estimated travel time for trips to unique facilities. Results We identified 7,546 provider visits and 6,064 visits to unique facilities. Over an average of 4.8 person-years of follow-up, we estimated a mean of 5.3 unique provider visits and a mean of 4.3 unique visits to facilities per person-year. Overall median drive time exceeded 1.5 hours roundtrip and averaged overall median one-way public transit time was 1.9 hours. The longest drive times were detected among younger, non-Hispanic Whites, and Other race/ethnicity groups. Conclusions Our findings suggest long travel times for clinical care for a subset of individuals. Additional research is needed to examine the burden associated with traveling to healthcare facilities.

Internal Medicine

Details

Title: Subtitle: Proximity to Healthcare Services Among Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Creators: Shiny Thomas
Treeva A. Jaff
Kristin M. Conway
Paul A. Romitti
Tabassum Z. Insaf
Kristin Sommerhalter
Amber Gedlinske
Emma Crenshaw
Nedra Whitehead
Brian Humphries
Reba Berry
Julie Royer
Joshua R. Mann
Sergey Krikov
Manju Jayasimha Pula Jayaram
Marcia L. Feldkamp
Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network (MD STARnet)
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: AJPM Focus, Vol.5(1), 100443
DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2025.100443
PMID: 41492420
PMCID: PMC12765187
NLM abbreviation: AJPM Focus
ISSN: 2773-0654
eISSN: 2773-0654
Publisher: ELSEVIER
Grant note: U.S. Department of EnergyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
This research was supported by cooperative agreement Numbers DD001126, DD001119, DD001123, DD001116, DD001117, DD001108, DD001120, and DD001054, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This project was partly supported by appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.r between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 09/11/2025
Date published: 02/2026
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Nursing
Record Identifier: 9984962543102771

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