Lina Eklund
Researcher
Using geographical information systems to analyse accessibility to health services in the West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territory
Author
Summary, in English
Abstract in Undetermined
Accessibility to adequate health services is a basic human right. Israeli road blocks and checkpoints inhibit access to health care for the Palestinian population. While other studies have dealt with the impact of the barriers, few are based on actual measurements of transport times between locations. Geographical information systems (GIS) and network analysis were used to generate different estimations of accessibility based on the existing road network and transport barriers. The population negatively affected were mainly people living outside urban centres and in governorates with no general hospital. Quantitative measurements using GIS can be used to confirm qualitative studies based on interviews and questionnaires and improve the understanding of the results. Working with a spatial analysis tool also helps to pinpoint weaknesses in the current infrastructure, thus improving the efficiency of future investments to improve health care in the West Bank.
Accessibility to adequate health services is a basic human right. Israeli road blocks and checkpoints inhibit access to health care for the Palestinian population. While other studies have dealt with the impact of the barriers, few are based on actual measurements of transport times between locations. Geographical information systems (GIS) and network analysis were used to generate different estimations of accessibility based on the existing road network and transport barriers. The population negatively affected were mainly people living outside urban centres and in governorates with no general hospital. Quantitative measurements using GIS can be used to confirm qualitative studies based on interviews and questionnaires and improve the understanding of the results. Working with a spatial analysis tool also helps to pinpoint weaknesses in the current infrastructure, thus improving the efficiency of future investments to improve health care in the West Bank.
Department/s
- Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES)
- MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World
Publishing year
2012
Language
English
Pages
796-802
Publication/Series
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
Volume
18
Issue
8
Full text
- Available as PDF - 445 kB
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Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
Topic
- Other Social Sciences
- Physical Geography
Keywords
- Accessibility
- Health Care
- Geographical Information Systems
- Occupied Palestinian Territory
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1020-3397