Using geographic information systems (GIS) to examine barriers to healthcare access for hispanic and latino immigrants in the U.S. South

Jean Edward, Donald J. Biddle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Geographic barriers to accessing timely and appropriate primary health care services have been identified as significant social determinants of health that contribute to the growing health inequities among Hispanic and Latino immigrants in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the geographic factors that serve as barriers to healthcare access for Hispanic and Latino immigrants in the southern community of Louisville, Kentucky. Accessibility to healthcare services was examined using spatial analysis techniques, a Geographic Information Systemand geographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Louisville and Jefferson County Information Consortium. Results from this study indicated that physical location, socioeconomic factors, distance, and transportation served as barriers to accessing healthcare services. Findings provide significant implications for future research and policy-based interventions focused on eliminating geographic barriers and promoting social and health equity for the underserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)297-307
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of racial and ethnic health disparities
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 29 2017

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Kentucky Nurses Foundation Research Grant program.

Publisher Copyright:
© W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute 2016.

Keywords

  • Geographicbarriers
  • Healthcare access
  • Hispanic and latino immigrants

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Anthropology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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