Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Kharazmi University
2
Master's student, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/gp.2026.69461.3460
Abstract
Objective: In Tehran, despite the abundance of health care centers, residents do not benefit equitably from healthcare services due to an inappropriate distribution of services at the neighborhood level. What is immediately apparent is the disproportionate and unjust distribution of services across Tehran. However, the specific spatial distribution of health care services at the neighborhood level remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to analyze the spatial pattern of healthcare service centers in Tehran.
Methods: This research is applied in terms of objective and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. Data and information were collected using library research. Spatial statistical analysis methods employed for data analysis. In this study, four main indicators explaining healthcare services, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and health houses, were examined.
Results: The results of spatial autocorrelation tests for the four healthcare service indicators demonstrate a clustered spatial distribution pattern for hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, and a random spatial pattern for health houses across Tehran. The hot spot analysis results for hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies indicate that neighborhoods primarily located in the north, center, and to some extent the east of Tehran are hot spots and concentration areas for the highest number of healthcare service centers. Conversely, the southern and eastern parts of Tehran represent hot spots and concentration areas for neighborhoods with the highest population density.
Conclusions: The spatial distribution of healthcare centers in Tehran does not align with population density. Furthermore, the southern and eastern areas of Tehran, which have the highest population density, are in a less favorable position regarding access to healthcare services. This imbalance signifies a form of spatial inequality in the provision of health care services, which could lead to serious social and long-term consequences.
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