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Improving accessibility to radiotherapy services in Cali, Colombia: cross-sectional equity analyses using open data and big data travel times from 2020.

Luis Gabriel CuervoCarmen Juliana VillamizarDaniel CuervoPablo ZapataMaria B OspinaSara Marcela ValenciaAlfredo PoloAngela SuarezMaria Olga BulaJuan Jaime MirandaGynna MillanDiana Elizabeth CuervoNancy J OwensFelipe PiqueroJanet Hatcher RobertsGabriel Dario ParedesMaria Fernanda NavarroIngrid Liliana MinottaCarmen PaltaEliana Martinez-HerreraJoan Benachnull null
Published in: International journal for equity in health (2024)
Traffic congestion significantly diminished accessibility to radiotherapy services, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. For instance, urban 20-min ACO by car dropped from 91% of Cali's urban population within a 20-min journey to the service during free-flow traffic to 31% during peak traffic for the week of 6-12 July 2020. Percentages represent the population within a 20-min journey by car from their residence to a radiotherapy service. Specific ethnic groups, individuals with lower educational attainment, and residents on the outskirts of Cali experienced disproportionate effects, with accessibility decreasing to 11% during peak traffic compared to 81% during free-flow traffic for low-income households. We predict that strategically adding sufficient services in 1-2 locations in eastern Cali would notably enhance accessibility and reduce inequities. The recommended locations for new services remained consistent in both of our measurements.These findings underscore the significance of prioritising equity and comprehensive care in healthcare accessibility. They also offer a practical approach to optimising service locations to mitigate disparities. Expanding this approach to encompass other transportation modes, services, and cities, or updating measurements, is feasible and affordable. The new approach and data are particularly relevant for planning authorities and urban development actors.
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