A GIS Based Analysis of Vulnerable Areas and Communities in the Event of a Medical Emergency

Abstract

This investigation focuses on determining areas that are underserviced by emergency response hospital in Puerto Rico. Using drive time distances from hospitals of 5, 10, and 15-minutes, perimeters are created. Once these areas are created, the investigation analyzes the areas found outside of these regions. Further investigation is done on these areas of lower accessibility to determining their demographic profiles. The results of the analysis found that 14.07 of block groups in Puerto Rico are outside of the service areas totaling to 13.82 of the population. The demographic profiles found areas of potentially high health risks within these underserviced areas.

Key Terms ¾ Geographic Information Systems, Network Analysis, Z scores, Public Health.