Code Grey: Mapping Healthcare Service Deserts in Hamilton, Ontario and the Impact on Senior Populations

Given the precedent findings of health inequalities in Hamilton, ON and the rapid increase of elderly populations in Canada as a whole, this article looks for areas of deficient health services within the Hamilton region, characterized as “healthcare deserts,” and examines the possible implications...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cartographica 2017-06, Vol.52 (2), p.125-131
Main Authors: Dosen, Kristin M, Karasiuk, Alexis A, Marcaccio, Alexandra C, Miljak, Samantha, Nair, Mythili H, Radauskas, Victoria J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Central business districts
Demographics
Deserts
Geriatrics
Health care
Health disparities
Health services
Income
Mapping
Older people
Populations
Qualitative analysis
Quality of life
Socioeconomic factors
Urban planning
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Summary:Given the precedent findings of health inequalities in Hamilton, ON and the rapid increase of elderly populations in Canada as a whole, this article looks for areas of deficient health services within the Hamilton region, characterized as “healthcare deserts,” and examines the possible implications with respect to the residing senior populations. Maps were constructed by overlaying median household income and percentage of population over 65 with the locations of healthcare services frequented by seniors. Qualitative analysis revealed that the distribution of senior services has no correlation to the senior population, and that senior services tend to be concentrated in lower income areas. This research has exposed the existence of healthcare deserts in most regions of Hamilton except the downtown core. Since seniors are less able to travel longer distances, living far away from these services could act as a barrier, inhibiting access and reducing quality of life. Concerns regarding accessibility of health services will become more important as this demographic grows, so mapping services in this manner can inform urban planning to minimize the impacts of these deserts.
ISSN:0317-7173
1911-9925
DOI:10.3138/cart.52.2.5103