Investigating the impact of Socio-Demographic and Urban Built Environments on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Flu Vaccine Locations – A Case Study from New York City, United States

Abstract

Flu vaccine clinics play a pivotal role in fighting the spread of flu. However, limited research has focused on the influence of socio-demographic and urban built environments on the spatial heterogeneity of flu vaccine locations. This study focuses on the spatial inequity of flu vaccine clinics in New York City. Firstly, Global Moran’s I index was utilized to test the statistical significance of the spatial heterogeneity of flu vaccine locations. Next, ordinary least squares regression, a spatial lagged endogenous model, and two geographically weighted regression models were conducted to uncover the associations between the number of flu vaccine locations and the socio-demographic and urban built environments. We observed significant spatial heterogeneity regarding the spatial distribution of all flu vaccine locations and clinics offering flu vaccines for children. Population distribution and per capita income were positively associated with the number of flu vaccine locations and clinics offering flu vaccines for children. Compared to all the flu vaccine locations associated with regions offering greater health services, the clinics that offered flu vaccines for children were placed in areas with more numerous residential communities. Current findings indicate that socio-demographics and the urban built environment have distinct influences on the number of flu vaccine clinics in different city regions. These findings provide the health authorities with valuable insights into the socio-demographic and urban characteristics associated with the inequity of flu vaccine clinics and may enhance preparedness for future influenza pandemics.