Nearly 16% of Michigan counties lack MRI access; rural counties face 19-mile average distance to a scanner

Nearly 16% of Michigan counties—all rural—lack access to a fixed MRI scanner. Average straight-line distance to a scanner is 19 miles (vs 7 urban miles). Each 10-mile distance increase raises odds of mobile MRI placement (adjusted odds ratio 1.46).

• The study used 2024 Michigan MRI Service Utilization Lists and U.S. Census data; travel time to the nearest MRI was not significantly associated with mobile MRI availability.
• Authors recommend incorporating geographic access metrics like travel distance into planning and regulatory decisions, particularly in states with certificate-of-need laws.

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