Evaluating Spatial Accessibility to High-Tech Health Services in the Spanish Iberian Peninsula: A GIS-Based Analysis
Journal Title: Opportunities and Challenges in Sustainability - Year 2024, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
This study explores the spatial accessibility of high-tech health services across municipalities on the Spanish Iberian Peninsula, focusing on the adequacy of service provision by haemodynamic facilities relative to potential demand. A comprehensive analysis utilising a Geographic Information System (GIS) was conducted to evaluate the spatial distribution of high-tech health services, employing the enhanced two-step floating catchment area (E2SFCA) method within a gravity model framework. Findings reveal a disparity in health service coverage, with peripheral municipalities in the larger Autonomous Communities exhibiting low to very low access to high-tech health services. Despite this, the majority of the population benefits from satisfactory health coverage. The study underscores the importance of improving health service accessibility in underserved areas through infrastructural enhancements or the establishment of new facilities, advocating for equitable health service distribution in line with principles of social justice. The methodology proposed herein serves as a valuable tool for health policymakers in addressing spatial inequities in health service provision. Through the lens of territorial accessibility and spatial planning, the research highlights the critical role of high-tech health infrastructure in ensuring comprehensive health coverage. The results advocate for targeted interventions to enhance health service accessibility, particularly in sparsely populated areas at the periphery of large communities, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on health equity and spatial justice in healthcare planning.
Authors and Affiliations
José Manuel Naranjo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP733603
- DOI https://doi.org/10.56578/ocs030105
- Views 34
- Downloads 0
Incentives for Sustainability: Relationship Between Renewable Energy Use and Carbon Emissions for Germany and Finland
Green energy, a hot topic of recent energy studies, is any type of energy created using renewable resources, such as sunlight, wind, or water. Despite several variations between it and renewable energy, green energy typi...
Navigating High-Quality Economic Growth: An Examination of Regional Innovation Ecosystems in China Through Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis
From the perspective of the innovation ecosystem, this study investigates the specific paths through which regional innovation ecosystems drive high-quality economic development in 31 mainland provinces and cities in Chi...
Environmental Regulation, Technological Progress and Carbon Emission Efficiency: An Empirical Analysis Based on Panel Data of Chinese Provinces
China faces the key issue of improving the efficiency of carbon emissions, in its endeavor of building a low-carbon economy and reducing carbon emissions. This paper adopts the super-slack-based measure (SBM) model with...
Advancing Sustainable Development in the Hindu-Kush-Himalaya Region Through Certification Strategies
This study investigates the potential of certification as a driving force for sustainable development in the Hindu-Kush-Himalaya (HKH) region, characterized by its unique high-altitude ecosystems, rich biodiversity, and...
Visibility of Sustainability Certifications in Tourism Enterprises: A Content Analysis of Electronic Platforms in Balıkesir Province
In the contemporary landscape, sustainability emerges as a pivotal indicator of corporate commitment to environmental stewardship. This study aims to elucidate the extent to which tourism enterprises, particularly those...