Spatial Analysis of Access to Pharmacies and Medical Diagnostic Laboratories Using Geographic Information System (GIS): A Case Study of Yazd City

A spatial analysis of Yazd City reveals significant inequities in access to pharmacies and medical diagnostic laboratories, with concentrations of diagnostic labs in low-density historic districts and a surplus of pharmacies relative to population needs. Using GIS techniques—including Hot Spot Analysis, Thiessen Polygon, Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA), and Nearest Neighbor Distance (NND)—researchers mapped 57 diagnostic laboratories and pharmacies against population distribution, exposing random rather than demand-driven distributions. While District 2’s pharmacy supply aligns with population density, the historic district shows an oversupply, highlighting spatial disparities that urban planning must address to promote equitable healthcare access.

Najaf Abadi, E. S., Amirfakhriyan, M., Ameri, H., & Ranjbar, M. (2026). Spatial Analysis of Access to Pharmacies and Medical Diagnostic Laboratories Using Geographic Information System (GIS): A Case Study of Yazd City. Evidence Based Health Policy, Management and Economics. https://doi.org/10.18502/jebhpme.v9i3.21675