Oral health and health care for older adults: A spatial approach for addressing disparities and planning services |
| |
| Authors: | Luisa N. Borrell DDS PhD Mary E. Northridge PhD MPH Douglas B. Miller MA Cynthia A. Golembeski MPH Seth E. Spielman MSUP Elliott D. Sclar PhD Ira B. Lamster DDS MMSc |
| |
| Affiliation: | Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University;Associate Professor of Clinical Sociomedical Sciences, Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University;Geographic Information System Specialist, Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy, Columbia University;Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University,;Adjunct Associate Research Scholar, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia University, and National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Fellow in Geographic Information Science, National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, University of Buffalo;Professor, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University;Dean, College of Dental Medicine (formerly School of Dental and Oral Surgery), Columbia University. |
| |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper was to examine the geographic distribution of New York City adults aged 65 and older by race/ethnicity and poverty status. Also analyzed was seniors' access to dental care as defined by the location of dental providers and their proximity to the subway system lines in Manhattan and the Bronx. ArcGIS software was used to create a geographic information system (GIS) incorporating relevant data from a variety of sources. Individual and overlay maps were then produced to examine the aims of this analysis. Data showed that Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and poverty status tend to co‐occur spatially among seniors in Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx. Further, a spatial/transportation barrier may inhibit access to dental care for seniors who reside in these areas. By presenting multiple layers of local information juxtaposed, GIS can help provide directions for planning oral health service delivery for seniors. |
| |
| Keywords: | oral health care older adults public health urban planning geographic information systems (GIS) spatial analysis |
|
|
