A two-stage spatial allocation model for elderly healthcare facilities in large-scale affordable housing communities: a case study in Nanjing City

Tiantian Gu,Dezhi Li,Lingzhi Li

doi:10.1186/s12939-018-0898-6

Abstract

BackgroundAs the proportion of elderly residents living in large-scale affordable housing communities (LAHCs) increases in China, serious problems have become apparent related to the spatial allocation of elderly healthcare facilities (EHFs), e.g., insufficient provision and inaccessibility. To address these issues, this study developed a location allocation model for EHFs to ensure equitable and efficient access to healthcare services for the elderly in LAHCs.MethodsBased on discrete location theory, this paper develops a two-stage optimization model for the spatial allocation of EHFs in LAHCs. In the first stage, the candidate locations of EHFs are specified using geographic information system (GIS) techniques. In the second stage, the optimal location and size of each EHF are determined based on the greedy algorithm (GA). Finally, the proposed two-stage optimization model is tested using the Daishan LAHC in Nanjing, Eastern China.ResultsThe demand of the elderly for accessibility to EHFs is in line with Nanjing’s planning standards. Deep insights into spatial data are revealed by GIS techniques that enable candidate locations of EHFs to be obtained. In addition, the model helps EHF planners achieve equity and efficiency simultaneously. Two optimal locations for EHFs in the Daishan LAHC are identified, which in turn verifies the validity of the model.ConclusionsAs a strategy for allocating EHFs, this two-stage model improves the equity and efficiency of access to healthcare services for the elderly by optimizing the potential sites for EHFs. It can also be used to assist policymakers in providing adequate healthcare services for the low-income elderly. Furthermore, the model can be extended to the allocation of other public-service facilities in different countries or regions.

Highlights

As the proportion of elderly residents living in large-scale affordable housing communities (LAHCs) increases in China, serious problems have become apparent related to the spatial allocation of elderly healthcare facilities (EHFs), e.g., insufficient provision and inaccessibility
This paper aims to develop a twostage spatial allocation model for EHFs in LAHCs by combining the objectives of equity and efficiency
In the Daishan LAHC, the existing community healthcare center meets this planning standard because it is located in a community with approximately 100,000 residents, and its floor area is 4800 m2

Summary

Introduction

As the proportion of elderly residents living in large-scale affordable housing communities (LAHCs) increases in China, serious problems have become apparent related to the spatial allocation of elderly healthcare facilities (EHFs), e.g., insufficient provision and inaccessibility To address these issues, this study developed a location allocation model for EHFs to ensure equitable and efficient access to healthcare services for the elderly in LAHCs. An elderly healthcare facility (EHF) is a place where healthcare services are provided for the elderly (aged 60 and over), and such facilities include community healthcare centers and community healthcare clinics [1]. To address the country’s severe aging problem, “The 13th Five-Year National Plan (2016-2020) for Developing the Elderly Care System” was issued in 2017 It requires that home-based care for the elderly population be prioritized, and correspondingly, more EHFs should be provided in communities [10]. The majority of the villages of Yanqing District in Beijing have relatively poor accessibility to healthcare services due to the uneven distribution of EHFs [13]

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