Spatial accessibility evaluation and clustering analysis of primary healthcare within 15 min circles in a northern Chinese megacity.

ABSTRACT: Primary healthcare centers (PHCs) play a crucial role in China's hierarchical medical system by providing essential community-level services. This study takes Tianjin, a major northern metropolis, as a case study to evaluate the spatial accessibility of PHCs and identify intra-city disparities. Using POI data to locate PHCs, population data to model healthcare demand, and road network data to simulate travel times, the Gaussian Two-Step Floating Catchment Area method was applied to measure primary healthcare accessibility within a 15 min travel threshold. The results revealed that PHC accessibility declined from the city center to the periphery, influenced by population density, economic development, and road network. Central districts like Heping and Nankai exhibited high accessibility, w

SUBMITTER: Han J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12518676 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature