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Geography as a Determinant of Health: Health Services Utilization of Pediatric Respiratory Illness in a Canadian Province

Author

Listed:
  • Shehzad Kassam

    (Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • Jesus Serrano-Lomelin

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada)

  • Anne Hicks

    (Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Susan Crawford

    (Alberta Perinatal Health Program, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T2N 2T9, Canada)

  • Jeffrey A. Bakal

    (Provincial Research Data Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada)

  • Maria B. Ospina

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada)

Abstract

Respiratory diseases contribute to high healthcare utilization rates among children. Although social inequalities play a major role in these conditions, little is known about the impact of geography as a determinant of health, particularly with regard to the difference between rural and urban centers. A regional geographic analysis was conducted using health repository data on singleton births between 2005 and 2010 in Alberta, Canada. Data were aggregated according to regional health sub-zones in the province and standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) were determined for eight respiratory diseases (asthma, influenza, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, croup, pneumonia, and other upper and other lower respiratory tract infections). The results indicate that there are higher rates of healthcare utilization in northern compared to southern regions and in rural and remote regions compared to urban ones, after accounting for both material and social deprivation. Geography plays a role in discrepancies of healthcare utilization for pediatric respiratory diseases, and this can be used to inform the provision of health services and resource allocation across various regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Shehzad Kassam & Jesus Serrano-Lomelin & Anne Hicks & Susan Crawford & Jeffrey A. Bakal & Maria B. Ospina, 2021. "Geography as a Determinant of Health: Health Services Utilization of Pediatric Respiratory Illness in a Canadian Province," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8347-:d:609787
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Siegel, C. & Davidson, A. & Kafadar, K. & Norris, J.M. & Todd, J. & Steiner, J., 1997. "Geographic analysis of pertussis infection in an urban area: A tool for health services planning," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 87(12), pages 2022-2026.
    2. Kuo-Ying Wang & Tang-Tat Chau, 2013. "An Association between Air Pollution and Daily Outpatient Visits for Respiratory Disease in a Heavy Industry Area," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(10), pages 1-25, October.
    3. Jesus Serrano-Lomelin & Charlene C. Nielsen & Anne Hicks & Susan Crawford & Jeffrey A. Bakal & Maria B. Ospina, 2020. "Geographic Inequalities of Respiratory Health Services Utilization during Childhood in Edmonton and Calgary, Canada: A Tale of Two Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-17, December.
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    Cited by:

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