Access to quality healthcare remains a significant challenge in many underserved communities across the country.

According to the Health Resources & Services Administration, a medically underserved population (MUP) is a group within a specific geographic area that lacks sufficient access to healthcare due to factors like high poverty, a large elderly population, high infant mortality, or a shortage of primary care providers. These populations often face additional cultural, language, or economic barriers to receiving adequate healthcare.

While numerous efforts have been made to address disparities, the role of healthcare real estate has often been an overlooked part of the solution. Yet, strategic real estate development and investment can be pivotal in ensuring that quality care reaches those who need it most.

Addressing the Need: Why Real Estate Matters
Although 1 in 5 Americans live in rural areas, it remains a largely underserved population with a lack of healthcare facilities being a critical barrier to accessing care. In 2024, Healthcare Dive reported more than 700 rural hospitals, over 30% of all such providers in the country, are at risk of closing.

This is where healthcare real estate plays a transformative role. By strategically locating new medical facilities—such as outpatient centers, primary care clinics, and specialty services—developers and investors can significantly expand care accessibility.

In one example, a hub-and-spoke model for Parkinson’s Disease centers effectively closed access gaps for the regional population in Arkansas, which was previously underserved.

Community Health Centers and Partnerships
Community health centers (CHCs) have long been a lifeline for underserved populations, offering a range of services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. As the demand for CHCs grows, so does the need for thoughtful real estate planning and development to support these essential services.

Healthcare real estate professionals can play a key role in supporting these centers by identifying properties that meet specific community needs and ensuring that facilities are designed to optimize patient flow and accessibility.

About 5.8 million Americans miss or delay medical care annually because of transportation barriers. By designing facilities that are easily accessible, healthcare real estate can help eliminate barriers such as transportation issues, which often disproportionately affect underserved populations.

The Role of Technology in Expanding Access
Another emerging opportunity lies in leveraging healthcare technology through real estate. Telehealth hubs, mobile clinics, and hybrid facilities that blend in-person and virtual care can help bridge the gap in access. For communities lacking a steady supply of healthcare professionals, these innovative models allow providers to extend their reach and offer consistent, quality care even in remote or economically distressed areas.

Healthcare real estate development that embraces these models not only expands the physical footprint of care but also integrates technology in ways that make healthcare delivery more flexible and responsive to community needs.

A Commitment to Community Impact
By thoughtfully developing facilities that address the unique needs of these communities, healthcare real estate leaders can contribute to a more equitable healthcare system and create lasting positive change.

The key is to approach each project with a deep understanding of the community it serves, ensuring that investments are aligned not just with economic returns, but with the broader goal of enhancing access to care and improving health outcomes.