Authors : Juan Manuel Holguin, Diego Alexander Escobar and Daniel Ricardo Oviedo
Abstract: In recent decades, identification of social inequalities in transport has claimed a new found relevance in academic circles. Special attention has been given to the social consequences of unequal access to different urban services and amenities. The city of Manizales, Colombia is one example of a spatially and socio-demographically segregated city in the global South. Such segregation has visible effects among different social groups on the levels of access to essential services for their well-being such as healthcare. This research examines inequalities in access to emergency service facilities between different social groups from a spatial perspective in urban areas. Using geographic information system and socio-demographic and economic secondary data as well as primary information from emergency service providers in the city, we identify levels of geographic accessibility to emergency service facilities in areas with marked differences in terms of income, access to infrastructure and local availability of healthcare facilities throughout Manizales. Our findings reflect wide gaps in the time required to respond to a medical emergency in areas of different socio-economic strata in the city.
Juan Manuel Holguin, Diego Alexander Escobar and Daniel Ricardo Oviedo, 2018. Inequality Asses of Emergency Medical Services Since Urban Accessibility Measures. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 13: 387-398.