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Evaluating the Inequality of Medical Resource Allocation Based on Spatial and Non-Spatial Accessibility: A Case Study of Wenzhou, China

Author

Listed:
  • Miao Du

    (School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China)

  • Yuhua Zhao

    (School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China)

  • Tao Fang

    (School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China)

  • Linyu Fan

    (School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China)

  • Minghua Zhang

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
    Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Hong Huang

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
    Research Center for Healthy China, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China)

  • Kun Mei

    (School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
    School of Geography Science and Geomatics Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China)

Abstract

Environmental and social factors influencing resource allocation in rural, developing regions are critical social determinants of health that necessitate cross-sector collaboration to improve health opportunities. Thus, we sought to evaluate the spatial distribution and accessibility of medical resources to assess existing disparities, identify best practices for resource allocation, and inform regional health planning policies. In this study, inequality in the frequency distribution of medical resources in Wenzhou, China, was measured using the Gini coefficient and agglomeration degree. We evaluated the spatial accessibility of medical institutions throughout the city using the modified hierarchical two-step floating catchment area (H2SFCA) method. Using the Spearman correlation analysis, we investigated the factors influencing accessibility differences. The results indicate that Wenzhou’s spatial distribution of medical resources is unbalanced and unequal. According to the population and geographic distribution, the distribution of medical resources in Wenzhou is unequal. Wenzhou’s overall spatial accessibility is poor. The east region is more accessible than the west region, and the accessibility of medical institutions at different levels varies greatly. The correlation between accessibility and the number of institutions, doctors, population density, road density, and GDP is positive. There is a need for policies and initiatives to enhance the geographical distribution of resources, construct interconnected road networks, and improve residents’ access to medical resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Miao Du & Yuhua Zhao & Tao Fang & Linyu Fan & Minghua Zhang & Hong Huang & Kun Mei, 2022. "Evaluating the Inequality of Medical Resource Allocation Based on Spatial and Non-Spatial Accessibility: A Case Study of Wenzhou, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8331-:d:857944
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jin Li & Jie Li & Jian Huang, 2022. "Research on the Equity and Optimal Allocation of Basic Medical Services in Guangzhou in the Context of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.

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