Access to essential health services is still a major issue for many people in different parts of the world. For example, 400 million people lack basic health care and 1.6 billion people live in fragile settings with poor access to health services. Hard to imagine?
Access to health services in a timely manner is important and we can make a difference as illustrated in this study.
Watch the video and listen to the podcast below
The video, part of the series "Tackling Global Challenges with GIS," presents research focused on the critical issue of geographic access to health facilities in the country of Niger. The analysis highlights how factors like Niger's vast desert, unpaved roads, and seasonal flooding during the wet season significantly impact the population’s ability to reach essential care, specifically childhood vaccinations. The research ultimately serves as a blueprint for improvement, demonstrating that placing just 17 new, strategically located health clinics could drastically increase access to care for hundreds of thousands of people, proving that data-driven placement is vital for saving lives.
To hear more about this research listen to the podcast.
This podcast presents research focused on the critical issue of geographic access to health facilities in the country of Niger. The analysis highlights how factors like Niger's vast desert, unpaved roads, and seasonal flooding during the wet season significantly impact the population’s ability to reach essential care, specifically childhood vaccinations. The research ultimately serves as a blueprint for improvement, demonstrating that placing just 17 new, strategically located health clinics could drastically increase access to care for hundreds of thousands of people, proving that data-driven placement is vital for saving lives.
Source
Blanford, J.I., Kumar, S., Luo, W. and MacEachren, A.M. (2012) It’s a long, long walk: accessibility to hospitals, maternity and integrated health centers in Niger. International Journal of Health Geographics. 11:24