Using GIS to Unveil Distance Effects on Hospitalizations in Victoria

2011 ◽  
pp. 244-260
Author(s):  
Ge Lin
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Distance Effect ◽  
Travel Distance ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Avoidable Hospitalizations ◽  
Hospitalization Rates ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Hospital Resources ◽  
Using Data

In this chapter, we examine travel distance and its effect on total and avoidable hospitalizations using data from the capital health region in British Columbia, Canada. We developed a GIS procedure to connect distance-to-hospital with socioeconomic contexts of patient locations. The procedure includes geo-coding hospital locations and patient locations to determine travel distance for each hospitalization, generating several geographic barriers, such as mountain crossing, to assess their impedance, and linking patient neighborhood locations to socioeconomic variables of their locations. It was found that the overall hospitalization rates have an inverse relationship with distance-to-hospital, and living too close to a hospital may encourage utilization of hospital resources. Even though low-income patients are more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable conditions, the income effect influences different dimensions to those affected by the distance effect. Thus, it explicitly confirms the two aspects of the inverse of healthcare law that work simultaneously: those with lower socioeconomic status and those living in greater distance to hospitals tend to be less likely to access hospital care. Furthermore, the inclusion of physical barriers to our evaluation enhanced our understanding of local conditions and how they may affect hospitalizations.

Examining Distance Effects on Hospitalizations Using GIS: A Study of Three Health Regions in British Columbia, Canada

10.1068/a3528 ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 2037-2053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ge Lin ◽  
Diane E Allan ◽  
Margaret J Penning
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Distance Effect ◽  
Travel Distance ◽  
Avoidable Hospitalizations ◽  
Balanced Approach ◽  
Hospitalization Rates ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Physical Accessibility

We examine travel distance and its effect on total and on avoidable hospitalizations, using data from three health regions in British Columbia, Canada. We conceptualize distance to hospital in geographic and socioeconomic contexts from the care seeker's perspective, and develop a GIS procedure to generate variables for these contexts. The procedure includes geocoding hospital locations and patient locations to determine travel distance for each hospitalization, generating several geographic barriers such as mountain crossings, and linking patient-neighborhood locations to socioeconomic variables. The findings reveal that overall, hospitalization rates are inversely related to distance to hospital. Even though low-income patients are more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable conditions, the income effect influences different dimensions from those affected by the distance effect. A balanced approach may be needed to address issues appropriately at both the low and the high ends of physical accessibility.

Child care: implications for overweight / obesity in Canadian children?

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
L McLaren ◽  
M Zarrabi ◽  
DJ Dutton ◽  
MC Auld ◽  
JCH Emery
Keyword(s):  
Child Care ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Daycare Centre ◽  
Relative Care ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates ◽  
Using Data

Introduction Over recent decades, two prominent trends have been observed in Canada and elsewhere: increasing prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, and increasing participation of women (including mothers) in the paid labour force and resulting demand for child care options. While an association between child care and children's body mass index (BMI) is plausible and would have policy relevance, its existence and nature in Canada is not known. Methods Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, we examined exposure to three types of care at age 2/3 years (care by non-relative, care by relative, care in a daycare centre) in relation to change in BMI percentile (continuous and categorical) between age 2/3 years and age 6/7 years, adjusting for health and sociodemographic correlates. Results Care by a non-relative was associated with an increase in BMI percentile between age 2/3 years and age 6/7 years for boys, and for girls from households of low income adequacy. Conclusion Considering the potential benefits of high-quality formal child care for an array of health and social outcomes and the potentially adverse effects of certain informal care options demonstrated in this study and others, our findings support calls for ongoing research on the implications of diverse child care experiences for an array of outcomes including those related to weight.

scholarly journals Income, wealth and use of personal protection equipment in the Mekong Delta

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Migheli
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Mekong Delta ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Developing And Developed Countries

AbstractBoth in developing and developed countries, farmers often do not protect themselves adequately, especially when applying agrochemicals that are dangerous for their health. The issue is relevant because insufficient protection is between the causes leading to intoxication of farmers and workers who handle these products. The literature suggests that both lack of training and information and low income may explain why, especially in developing countries, protective equipment is under-used. Using data from the Mekong Delta, this study addresses the issue of whether income and household wealth may help explaining the use of incomplete protections against pesticides. The results suggest that income, more than wealth, is a reason why Vietnamese farmers operating in the Mekong Delta fail in using adequate protections. In particular, the data suggest that they may prefer to divert resources to increasing the production of their fields or to buying goods that may be used both as protection and as everyday garments. This behaviour leads to underinvestment in some important protective goods. Possible public interventions to mitigate the problem are suggested; in particular, the promotion of integrated pest management techniques could be useful.

scholarly journals Health and Housing Energy Expenditures: A Two-Part Model Approach

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 943
Author(s):  
Fátima Lima ◽  
Paula Ferreira ◽  
Vítor Leal
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Health Expenditures ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Energy Expenditures ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Gains ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Part Model ◽  
Model Approach

Interest in the interaction between energy and health within the built environment has been increasing in recent years, in the context of sustainable development. However, in order to promote health and wellbeing across all ages it is necessary to have a better understanding of the association between health and energy at household level. This study contributes to this debate by addressing the case of Portugal using data from the Household Budget Survey (HBS) microdata database. A two-part model is applied to estimate health expenditures based on energy-related expenditures, as well as socioeconomic variables. Additional statistical methods are used to enhance the perception of relevant predictors for health expenditures. Our findings suggest that given the high significance and coefficient value, energy expenditure is a relevant explanatory variable for health expenditures. This result is further validated by a dominance analysis ranking. Moreover, the results show that health gains and medical cost reductions can be a key factor to consider on the assessment of the economic viability of energy efficiency projects in buildings. This is particularly relevant for the older and low-income segments of the population.

scholarly journals 662 PAP Therapy: A Review of Resources for the Uninsured during COVID-19

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A259-A259
Author(s):  
Melissa Malinky ◽  
Abigail Oberla ◽  
Meena Khan ◽  
M Melanie Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Web Search ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fixed Cost ◽  
United States Census ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Available Resources

Abstract Introduction In 2019, the United States Census estimated 8% (26.1 million) people were without health insurance. Further, an estimated 3.5 million people became/remained uninsured from COVID-19-related job losses. Patients with OSA that belong to a lower socioeconomic status (SES) are less likely to have access to healthcare and may be under or uninsured. Untreated OSA can lead to increased risk of symptoms and associated co-morbidities. Resources to help the uninsured to obtain PAP therapy were available pre-COVID, including two main sources, American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) and our local branch serving central Ohio, The Breathing Association. However, the COVID pandemic limited access or closed these programs. Our Sleep Medicine clinics saw 148 uninsured OSA patients between March-December, 2020. Given these difficulties, we re-evaluated available resources for the uninsured. Methods We conducted a search for current low cost ($100 or less) PAP therapy options for the uninsured, March 15, 2020-December 3, 2020, by: (1) contacting pre-COVID-19 resources, including Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers, (2) consulting social work, and (3) completing a librarian assisted web-search not limited to PubMed, Embase, CINAHL for academic related articles and electronic searches using a combination of English complete word and common keywords: OSA, PAP, uninsured, no insurance, cheap, medically uninsured, resources, self-pay, low-income, financial assistance, US. Resources such as private sellers were not investigated. Results During COVID-19, assistance for PAP machines/supplies have closed or required a protracted wait-time. Options including refurbished items range from low, one-time fixed cost or income-based discounts from: one local charity (Joint Organization for Inner-City Needs) and DME (Dasco), and four national entities (ASAA, Second Wind CPAP, Reggie White Foundation, CPAP Liquidators). An Electronic Health Record-based tool was developed and distributed to increase provider awareness of pandemic available resources. Conclusion Untreated OSA is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular co-morbidities. Access and cost may limit treatment in OSA patients from a lower SES. The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered programs providing discount PAP and supplies, leaving fewer resources for these patients, thus further widening this health care disparity. Alternatives are needed and current resources are not easily accessible for providers and patients. Support (if any):

scholarly journals Mothers of children with food allergies report poorer perceived life status which may be explained by limited career choices

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Lynn Mary Frykas ◽  
Michael Golding ◽  
Elissa M. Abrams ◽  
Elinor Simons ◽  
Jennifer Lisa Penner Protudjer
Keyword(s):  
Food Allergy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Career Choices ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
Allergic Child ◽  
Intangible Costs ◽  
Statistics Canada ◽  
Using Data

AbstractPediatric food allergy is associated with direct, indirect and intangible costs. However, it remains unclear if intangible costs of pediatric food allergy influence parental career choices. Using data from 63 parents whose children had been diagnosed by a pediatric allergist with food allergy, we sought to (a) establish perceived life status of families with a food allergic child, and (b) to describe any career limitations viewed as attributable to food allergy. Compared to responding parents whose children had one to two food allergies, those with three or more food allergies had significantly poorer perceived life status (ß − 0.74; 95%CI − 1.41; − 0.07; p < 0.05). Overall, 14.3% of parents (all mothers) reported career limitations due to food allergy. Two of the 7 mothers (28.6%) who reported career limitations due to their child's food allergy fell below Statistics Canada cut-off for low-income, after tax dollars (LIM-AT). One of the three mothers who had changed jobs because of their child's food allergy was below the LIM-AT. No fathers reported food allergy-related career limitations. In conclusion, mothers of children with multiple food allergies reported worse perceived life status that may be partly explained by food allergy-related career limitations.

Access to Ambulatory Care Services for Economically Disadvantaged Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 813-819
Author(s):  
Paul W. Newacheck ◽  
Neal Halfon
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Economically Disadvantaged ◽  
War On Poverty ◽  
Disadvantaged Children ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Ambulatory Services ◽  
Poor Children

Using data from the 1981 Child Health Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey, we examined differences in access to ambulatory services for children of different family incomes. The results indicate that much progress has been made in equalizing access since the War on Poverty was initiated in the mid-1960s. Poor children with superior health status now generally see physicians at the same rates as children in similar health but from higher income families. However, children with substantial health problems from low-income families continue to lag behind their higher income counterparts in similar health. Medicaid was shown to substantially improve access to ambulatory services for economically disadvantaged children in poor health, but less than half of these children are covered by Medicaid. Recent changes in federal and state policies concerning Medicaid are discussed as well as policy options for addressing the needs of children afflicted by both poverty and ill health.

Urban Homeownership and Mental Health: Mediating Effect of Perceived Sense of Control

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim R. Manturuk
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Sense Of Control ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Subjective Trust ◽  
Control Part

What are the mechanisms responsible for homeowners’ better mental health? Social disorganization theory suggests that the relationship between homeownership and mental health is mediated by perceived sense of control, trust in neighbors, and residential stability. This hypothesis is tested using data collected from respondents in 30 low–wealth urban areas. Using propensity score matching and regression models, I find that low–income homeowners report a greater sense of control and trust in their neighbors than comparable renters. Homeownership likewise has an impact on mental health, but the effect is entirely mediated by perceived sense of control. Part of that mediating effect is related to avoiding serious delinquency in mortgage payments. However, subjective trust and residential mobility did not mediate the relationship between homeownership and mental health. The study findings are discussed in light of the need for a cohesive theory of homeownership, particularly given changing economic realities.

Acceptance, refusal and hesitancy of Covid-19 vaccination in Mexico: Ensanut 2020 Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 598-606
Author(s):  
Martha Carnalla ◽  
Ana Basto-Abreu ◽  
Dalia Stern ◽  
Sergio Bautista-Arredondo ◽  
Teresa Shamah-Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Vaccination Acceptance ◽  
National Campaigns ◽  
Using Data

Objective. To estimate the willingness to vaccinate against Covid-19 (acceptance) in the Mexican population and to iden­tify socioeconomic factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and refusal. Materials and methods. We estimated the acceptance, refusal and hesitancy proportions using data from the Covid-19 National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted from August to November 2020. Factors associated with re­fusal and hesitancy were explored using multinomial logistic regression. Results. Covid-19 vaccination acceptance was 62.3%, refusal 28.2% and hesitancy 9.5%. Refusal and hesitancy were associated with being female, having older age, lower educational level, lower socioeconomic status and working in the informal sector. Conclusion. National campaigns to incentivize vaccine acceptance need to consider specific subgroups were the likelihood of hesitancy and refusal is high. In Mexico, refusal and hesitancy were higher in vulnerable groups, and people at a higher risk of Covid-19 complica­tions and death.

Environmental and Social Issues in Jordanian Low-Income Housing Design

2011 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abu Al Haija
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Housing Crisis ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Housing Design ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Residential Quarters ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Low Income Housing

The relationship between people, environmental circumstances and the cost of projects in Jordan are focal points of this study, where the problem of low-income housing needs is still increasing, having tripled in the last two decades. The shortage of public housing production and the cost of lands and building materials, mainly controlled by private sector investors, are substantial reasons for the housing crisis in a country of poor economic recourses and high percentage of poverty. The Jordanian government decided to aid the poorest class of the population, offering free of charge shelters organized in small residential quarters, which became a prototype diffused throughout all the Jordanian regions. This paper analyzes one of these typical quarters, collecting data through face-to-face interviews with the households using a structured questionnaire. The study focuses on the physical components of the quarter, looking at open spaces, paths, streets, volumes, materials, colors in relation with the environmental context. It also investigates the households' requirements, relationships and preferences. The study discusses also the housing problems at the macro scale level in order to concretely evaluate the shelters' cost, setting some guidelines with respect to the cultural and environmental local conditions.

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