@misc{ReuterDiehlRichteretal., author = {Reuter, Marvin and Diehl, Katharina and Richter, Matthias and Sundmacher, Leonie and H{\"o}vener, Claudia and Spallek, Jacob and Dragano, Nico}, title = {A longitudinal analysis of health inequalities from adolescence to young adulthood and their underlying causes}, series = {Advances in Lifecourse Research}, volume = {Vol. 59}, journal = {Advances in Lifecourse Research}, issn = {1879-6974}, doi = {10.1016/j.alcr.2024.100593}, abstract = {Research suggests that children of low-educated parents face greater health burdens during the passage from adolescence to young adulthood, as they are more likely to become low-educated themselves, establish behavioural and psychosocial disadvantages, or being exposed to unhealthy working conditions. However, studies examining the development and drivers of health inequalities during this particular life stage are limited in number and have produced varied results. This study investigates trajectories of self-rated health and overweight from 14 to 25 years of age, stratified by parental education, and explores the role of potential mediators (educational achievement, health behaviours, psychosocial factors, working conditions). We rely on prospective cohort data from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), a representative sample of 14,981 German ninth graders interviewed yearly from 2011 to 2021 (n = 90,096 person-years). First, we estimated random-effects growth curves for self-rated health and overweight over participants' age and calculated the average marginal effect of high versus low parental education. Second, a series of simulation-based mediation analyses were performed to test how much of health inequalities were explained by children's educational attainment (years of school education, years in university), health behaviours (smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity), psychosocial factors (number of grade repetitions, years in unemployment, chronic stress, self-esteem) and working conditions (physical and psychosocial job demands). We accounted for potential confounding by controlling for age, sex, migration background, residential area, household composition, and interview mode. Results show that higher parental education was related to higher self-rated health and lower probabilities of being overweight. Interaction between parental education and age indicated that, after some equalisation in late adolescence, health inequalities increased in young adulthood. Furthermore, educational attainment, health behaviours, psychosocial factors, and early-career working conditions played a significant role in mediating health inequalities. Of the variables examined, the level of school education and years spent in university were particular strong mediating factors. School education accounted for around one-third of the inequalities in self-rated health and one-fifth of the differences in overweight among individuals. Results support the idea that the transition to adulthood is a sensitive period in life and that early socio-economic adversity increases the likelihood to accumulate health disadvantages in multiple dimensions. In Germany, a country with comparatively low educational mobility, intergenerational continuities in class location seem to play a key role in the explanation of health inequalities in youth.}, language = {en} } @incollection{TallarekSpallek, author = {Tallarek, Marie and Spallek, Jacob}, title = {Migration and health. Theoretical foundations, empirical findings, and public health responses using the example of Germany}, series = {Contemporary challenges of social work in Poland and Germany: war migrants as a challenge}, booktitle = {Contemporary challenges of social work in Poland and Germany: war migrants as a challenge}, editor = {Orlowska, Beata and Paetzold, Ulrich}, edition = {1}, publisher = {Akademia im. Jakuba z Paradyża w Gorzowie Wielkopolskim}, address = {Gorz{\´o}w Wielkopolski}, isbn = {978-83-67705-24-0}, pages = {11 -- 31}, abstract = {Migrants and their offspring, referred to as people with a migration background in this article, are an utmost heterogeneous group whose health situation can be better, similar or worse compared to the health of the population without a migration background. A better understanding of the health of people with a migration background requires the consideration of their individual life course as well as several additional explanatory factors. The latter include, for instance, their social position, age, and gender, as well as the policies, health care system, social climate, living situation, and length of stay in the destination country. Particularly promising public health strategies for migrant health include a combination of migration sensitive and migration specific offers, setting approaches, and inclusionary public health approaches that critically reflect on mechanisms of othering, marginalization, and exclusion.}, language = {en} } @misc{BammertSchuettigIashchenkoetal., author = {Bammert, Philip and Sch{\"u}ttig, Wiebke and Iashchenko, Iryna and Spallek, Jacob and Rattay, Petra and Schneider, Sven and Richter, Matthias and Pischke, Claudia R. and Dragano, Nico and Sundmacher, Leonie}, title = {The role of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors in the use of preventive healthcare services in children and adolescents: results of the KiGGS Wave 2 study}, series = {BMC Pediatrics}, volume = {24}, journal = {BMC Pediatrics}, issn = {1471-2431}, doi = {10.1186/s12887-024-04650-0}, abstract = {Background: In Germany, various preventive services are offered to children and adolescents. These include regular standardized examinations (so called U/J examinations) and several vaccinations. Although strongly recommended, most of them are not mandatory. Our aim is to identify factors associated with the use of U/J examinations and vaccination against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib, pertussis, polio, and tetanus. While previous research has focused on sociodemographic factors, we also include socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 15,023 participants (aged 0-17 years) of the nationwide representative KiGGS Wave 2 Survey. Participation in U/J examinations was assessed using a questionnaire, filled out by participants and/or their parents. Information on vaccination status was drawn from the participants' vaccination booklets. To identify relevant determinants for the use of preventive examinations and vaccinations, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were employed with up to 16 different independent variables. Results: Various independent variables showed an association with the use of preventive services. Higher socioeconomic status, absence of migration background, and lower household size were associated with significantly higher utilization of U examinations. Parents' marital status, area of residence, behavioral and psychosocial factors yielded insignificant results for most U/J examinations. Higher vaccination rates were found for children with no migration background, with residence in eastern Germany, lower household size, and with married parents. Conclusion: This study attempted to depict the influence of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors on the use of several preventive services. Our results indicate that predominantly sociodemographic variables influence the use of preventive services. Further efforts should be made to investigate the interplay of different determinants of healthcare use in children and adolescents.}, language = {en} } @misc{BammertSchuettigNovellietal., author = {Bammert, Philip and Sch{\"u}ttig, Wiebke and Novelli, Anna and Iashchenko, Iryna and Spallek, Jacob and Blume, Miriam and Diehl, Katharina and Moor, Irene and Dragano, Nico and Sundmacher, Leonie}, title = {The role of mesolevel characteristics of the health care system and socioeconomic factors on health care use - results of a scoping review}, series = {International Journal for Equity in Health}, volume = {23}, journal = {International Journal for Equity in Health}, number = {1}, issn = {1475-9276}, doi = {10.1186/s12939-024-02122-6}, abstract = {Background: Besides macrolevel characteristics of a health care system, mesolevel access characteristics can exert influence on socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use. These reflect access to healthcare, which is shaped on a smaller scale than the national level, by the institutions and establishments of a health system that individuals interact with on a regular basis. This scoping review maps the existing evidence about the influence of mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic position on healthcare use. Furthermore, it summarizes the evidence on the interaction between mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use. Methods: We used the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO and followed the 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR)' recommendations. The included quantitative studies used a measure of socioeconomic position, a mesolevel access characteristic, and a measure of individual healthcare utilisation. Studies published between 2000 and 2020 in high income countries were considered. Results: Of the 9501 potentially eligible manuscripts, 158 studies were included after a two-stage screening process. The included studies contained a wide spectrum of outcomes and were thus summarised to the overarching categories: use of preventive services, use of curative services, and potentially avoidable service use. Exemplary outcomes were screening uptake, physician visits and avoidable hospitalisations. Access variables included healthcare system characteristics such as physician density or distance to physician. The effects of socioeconomic position on healthcare use as well as of mesolevel access characteristics were investigated by most studies. The results show that socioeconomic and access factors play a crucial role in healthcare use. However, the interaction between socioeconomic position and mesolevel access characteristics is addressed in only few studies. Conclusions: Socioeconomic position and mesolevel access characteristics are important when examining variation in healthcare use. Additionally, studies provide initial evidence that moderation effects exist between the two factors, although research on this topic is sparse. Further research is needed to investigate whether adapting access characteristics at the mesolevel can reduce socioeconomic inequity in health care use.}, language = {en} } @misc{KnautheFieberGlauschetal., author = {Knauthe, Nadja and Fieber, Vera and Glausch, Melanie and Geissler, Mark Enrik and Dallal, Anna and Doll, Konrad and Meister, Lisa and Tallarek, Marie and Weigmann-Faßbender, Sandra and Giesemann, Nadine and Hofbauer, Christine and Bornh{\"a}user, Martin and Letsch, Anne and Ratjen, Ilka and Spallek, Jacob and St{\"o}lzel, Friederike}, title = {„Aktiv leben mit Krebs": acceptance and effect of a lowthreshold information on health behavior for cancer patients}, series = {Oncology Research and Treatment 2024 : 36. Deutscher Krebskongress. Fortschritt gemeinsam gestalten, 21.-24. Februar 2024, Berlin: ABSTRACTS}, volume = {47}, journal = {Oncology Research and Treatment 2024 : 36. Deutscher Krebskongress. Fortschritt gemeinsam gestalten, 21.-24. Februar 2024, Berlin: ABSTRACTS}, number = {1}, editor = {B{\"u}ttner, Reinhard}, issn = {2296-5262}, doi = {10.1159/000535363}, pages = {216}, abstract = {Background: In Germany, more than 4.65 million people are currently living with a cancer diagnosis. Patients can benefit from a healthy lifestyle both during and after therapy. In order to provide patients with practical and scientifically based information on health behavior, the authors developed "Aktiv leben mit Krebs" (ALMIK) using participatory program planning. Methods: A non-blinded randomized controlled trial with intervention (IG) and wait list control group (WCG) was conducted at NCT/UCC Dresden and UCCSH in Kiel in 2022/2023 with a convenience sample of n=227 patients during and after therapy (65.7 years ± 11.7, 54.2\% male). IG and WCG received a questionnaire at baseline and after 1 month. IG received the ALMIK brochure and a link to the website with videos. Changes in health literacy (HLS-EU Q) and acceptance were assessed. Result: Acceptance of ALMIK in IG was high: 94.1\% of all n=109 patients in the IG reported having used the brochure. 40.4\% had visited the website. Videos were used by 36.7\%. Almost all patients rated the brochure as understandable (97.8\%), relevant (90.3\%) and clearly presented (98.9\%). Patients also rated the website as well-structured (95.6\%) and attractively designed (97.6\%), and the videos as understandable (93.0\%) and relevant (79.1\%). Overall, 97.8\% were satisfied with the program and 98.9\% would recommend it to others. Patients of IG did not achieve higher HLS-score in comparison to WCG (p=0.75). Discussion: The brochure was used by many patients and was very well accepted. The website and videos were used less frequently, but overall by more than one-third of patients, who were also satisfied with them. Health literacy was not increased by ALMIK, which may be due to the low intervention strength. Conclusion: The high number of participants who used ALMIK indicates a high need for health behavior information for cancer patients. Patient involvement has proven to be an important component in creating well accepted program materials}, language = {en} } @misc{DeSantisMuellmannPanetal., author = {De Santis, Karina Karolina and Muellmann, Saskia and Pan, Chen-Chia and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Spallek, Jacob and Haug, Ulrike and Zeeb, Hajo}, title = {Digitisation and health: Second nationwide survey of internet users in Germany}, series = {Digital Health}, volume = {Volume 10}, journal = {Digital Health}, doi = {10.1177/20552076241301457}, pages = {16}, abstract = {Objective: Rapid digitisation of health occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. In October 2020, we conducted a survey on digital health technology use in Germany. This study aimed to conduct a second survey to investigate in more detail the internet use in health context and digital technology use for health promotion and disease prevention in Germany. Methods: A cross-sectional, nationwide telephone survey was conducted in November 2022. Anonymous data on internet and digital technology use, digital health literacy, and sociodemographic characteristics were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions. Results: The 1020 participants were aged 18-92 years, 53\% were male, 62\% completed primary or secondary education, 71\% resided in large cities, and 45\% reported a country-average net household income. Overall, 61\% reported internet use in health context via 1-4 devices. Among those, more than 50\% used the internet and apps to obtain general health information and less than 50\% used digital technologies for physical activity promotion or cancer prevention. Overall, 34\% were confident in using the internet for health decisions and 71\% preferred to receive health information non-digitally (e.g. on paper). Internet, app, and digital technology use were associated with higher digital health literacy and income, and residence in larger cities. Digital technologies were used for physical activity promotion by younger and for cancer prevention by older participants. Conclusion: The internet and digital technologies were predominantly used to obtain health information, but less often for health promotion and disease prevention in 2022 in Germany. While health app and digital technology use for physical activity promotion increased, the confidence in using online information for health decisions decreased in 2022 relative to 2020. Factors that promote confidence in online health information and digital technology use for health promotion and disease prevention need to be investigated in future studies.}, language = {en} } @incollection{SpallekSchumannBrand, author = {Spallek, Jacob and Schumann, Maria and Brand, Tilman}, title = {Pr{\"a}vention und Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung bei Migrantinnen und Migranten}, series = {Referenzwerk Pr{\"a}vention und Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung}, booktitle = {Referenzwerk Pr{\"a}vention und Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung}, editor = {Hurrelmann, Klaus and Richter, Matthias and Stock, Stephanie}, edition = {6., {\"u}berarb. u. erw. Aufl.}, publisher = {Hogrefe}, address = {Bern}, isbn = {978-3-456-86350-4}, doi = {10.1024/86350-000}, pages = {479 -- 494}, language = {de} } @misc{SpallekHoffmannStableretal., author = {Spallek, Jacob and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Stabler, Martin and Hecht, Henriette and Bangert, Benjamin and Martens, Lea and Irrgang, Christopher and Ladewig, Katharina and Zeeb, Hajo}, title = {Digital Public Health in l{\"a}ndlichen Regionen Deutschlands mit relativer sozio{\"o}konomischer Deprivation: das Beispiel des Lausitzer Zentrums f{\"u}r Digital Public Health}, series = {German Medical Sciences}, journal = {German Medical Sciences}, doi = {10.3205/24gmds630}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0183-24gmds6307}, abstract = {Einleitung: Digitale Gesundheitstechnologien - wie online Plattformen und tragbare Ger{\"a}te - bieten vermehrt M{\"o}glichkeiten zur Verbesserung von Pr{\"a}vention, Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung und Gesundheitsversorgung. Europ{\"a}ische Studien haben aber auch gezeigt, dass sie nicht f{\"u}r alle Bev{\"o}lkerungsgruppen und Gebiete gleichermaßen zug{\"a}nglich, nutzbar und wirksam sind, um die Gesundheit zu verbessern. Vor allem Menschen, die in l{\"a}ndlichen Gebieten leben, Sprachbarrieren haben oder sozio{\"o}konomisch benachteiligt sind, profitieren seltener vom digitalen Wandel [1]. Um das Potenzial digitaler Gesundheitstechnologien f{\"u}r die Gesundheit der Bev{\"o}lkerung auszusch{\"o}pfen, sollten sie passgenau auf die relevanten Bev{\"o}lkerungsgruppen zugeschnitten sein und die regionalen Lebensbedingungen ber{\"u}cksichtigen. Ziel des Lausitzer Zentrums f{\"u}r Digital Public Health (LauZeDiPH) ist es, den digitalen Wandel unter dem Aspekt der gesundheitlichen Chancengerechtigkeit zu erforschen und zu unterst{\"u}tzen. Methoden: Die Forschung des LauZeDiPH [2] basiert mit Fokus auf die Bev{\"o}lkerung in der Lausitz sowohl auf Prim{\"a}r- und Sekund{\"a}rdaten aus bev{\"o}lkerungsbasierten Erhebungen als auch auf gezielt und partizipativ erhobenen Daten von spezifischen Gruppen, wie z.B. Patienten mit chronisch obstruktiver Lungenerkrankung (COPD) oder Menschen mit geringer digitaler Kompetenz. Relevante Zielgr{\"o}ßen sind dabei u.a. der allgemeine Gesundheitszustand der lokalen Bev{\"o}lkerung, der Zugang zur und die Inanspruchnahme von Gesundheitsversorgung, der Zugang zu digitalen Gesundheitstechnologien, die digitale Gesundheitskompetenz und die Versorgungspr{\"a}ferenzen der Bev{\"o}lkerung in der Region. Ergebnisse: Die bisherigen Analysen in der Gesamtschau betonen die Bedeutung sozialer und regionaler Gesundheitsdeterminanten von der fr{\"u}hen Kindheit an in Brandenburg insgesamt sowie in der Lausitz, z.B. bei Besch{\"a}ftigten der Gesundheitsversorgung [3], [4], und damit die spezifischen Anforderungen f{\"u}r (Digital) Public Health in der Region. Neue Technologien werden oftmals in urbanen Settings f{\"u}r urbane Settings entwickelt und evaluiert. Maßgeschneiderte, regional eingebettete Maßnahmen sind daher essentiell, um bedarfsgerecht auch bisher nicht gut erreichte Bev{\"o}lkerungsgruppen und die Bev{\"o}lkerung in weniger erschlossenen Regionen zu erreichen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Notwendigkeit der partizipativen Entwicklung und Evaluation von neuen Instrumenten f{\"u}r Public Health und die Gesundheitsversorgung, insbesondere mit der Unterst{\"u}tzung von Menschen mit eingeschr{\"a}nktem digitalem Zugang, niedrigem Bildungshintergrund, wenigen digitalen F{\"a}higkeiten oder mangelndem Vertrauen in die Forschung und digitale Technologien. Schlussfolgerung: Die Anwendung partizipativer regionaler Ans{\"a}tze kann einen gerechteren digitalen Wandel im Gesundheitsbereich erleichtern. Die Einbeziehung marginalisierter und schwer erreichbarer Gruppen in digitale Public Health Interventionen kann neue M{\"o}glichkeiten f{\"u}r Pr{\"a}vention, Gesundheitsversorgung und Forschung er{\"o}ffnen und ist aus Sicht der gesundheitlichen Chancengerechtigkeit essentiell [5]. K{\"u}nftige digitale Ans{\"a}tze sollten so gestaltet werden, dass sie den spezifischen Bed{\"u}rfnissen benachteiligter Gruppen und Regionen gerecht werden. Literatur 1. WHO. Neue Studie belegt: Digitale Gesundheit ist nicht f{\"u}r alle gleich zug{\"a}nglich. 2022 [zuletzt aufgerufen: 23.04.2024]. Verf{\"u}gbar unter: https://www.who.int/europe/de/news/item/21-12-2022-digital-health-not-accessible-by-everyone-equally-new-study-finds 2. Lausitzer Zentrum f{\"u}r Digital Public Health. Forschung. [zuletzt aufgerufen: 23.04.2024]. Verf{\"u}gbar unter: https://www.b-tu.de/digital-public-health/forschung 3. Hoffmann S, Tschorn M, Spallek J. Social inequalities in early childhood language development during the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive study with data from three consecutive school entry surveys in Germany. Int J Equity Health. 2024;23(1):2 4. Hoffmann S, Schulze S, L{\"o}ffler A, Becker J, Hufert F, Gremmels HD, et al. Did the prevalence of depressive symptoms change during the COVID-19 pandemic? A multilevel analysis on longitudinal data from healthcare workers. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2024;70(1):87-98 5. Bammert P, Sch{\"u}ttig W, Novelli A, Iashchenko I, Spallek J, Blume M, et al. The role of mesolevel characteristics of the health care system and socioeconomic factors on health care use - results of a scoping review. Int J Equity Health. 2024;23:37}, language = {de} } @misc{HechtHoffmannBangertetal., author = {Hecht, Henriette and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Bangert, Benjamin and Irrgang, Christopher and Ladewig, Katharina and Martens, Lea and Stabler, Martin and Spallek, Jacob}, title = {Making digital health services in the real world: ein partizipatives, human-centered-design-framework f{\"u}r eine erreichende Innovationsentwicklung am Beispiel der Lausitz}, series = {Wen erreichen wir mit digitaler Pr{\"a}vention und Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung? Und wie? : German Medical Science}, journal = {Wen erreichen wir mit digitaler Pr{\"a}vention und Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung? Und wie? : German Medical Science}, doi = {10.3205/24gmds889}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0183-24gmds8890}, abstract = {F{\"u}r digitale Programme und Angebote der Pr{\"a}vention und Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung besteht die Herausforderung darin, unterschiedliche Dialoggruppen zu erreichen und sie effektiv zu einzubinden. Barrieren bestehen u. a. aus der digitalen Kluft, da die Zug{\"a}nglichkeit besonders f{\"u}r {\"a}ltere Menschen, Menschen mit niedrigem Einkommen oder aus l{\"a}ndlichen Gebieten eingeschr{\"a}nkt sein kann. Außerdem haben verschiedene Dialoggruppen unterschiedliche kulturelle Hintergr{\"u}nde, sodass digitale Angebote diese Vielfalt ber{\"u}cksichtigen und kultursensibel gestaltet sein sollten, um die Akzeptanz und Teilnahme zu f{\"o}rdern. Wissen {\"u}ber Barrieren der Zug{\"a}nglichkeit sind relevant, um digitale Gesundheitsangebote attraktiv und ansprechend gestalten zu k{\"o}nnen und die langfristige Teilnahme zu f{\"o}rdern. Das Symposium will anhand von Projekten aus Wissenschaft und Praxis thematisieren, wie digitale Angebote sowie die Kontexte und Prozesse ihrer Implementierung gestaltet sein m{\"u}ssen, damit digitale Pr{\"a}vention und Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung einen großen Kreis von Nutzenden in ihrer Lebenswirklichkeit erreichen k{\"o}nnen. Dazu werden Evaluationsergebnisse von Nutzerinnen und Nutzern einer digitalen Pr{\"a}vention zur Alkoholpr{\"a}vention im Rahmen einer suchtpr{\"a}ventiven Kunstausstellung vorgestellt. Außerdem werden am praktischen Beispiel eines digitalen Elternprogramms verschiedene M{\"o}glichkeiten der Ansprache, Bereitstellung und Begleitung pr{\"a}sentiert. Ein weiterer Beitrag stellt vor, wie im Rahmen des Projekts „Reallabor AI4U" unter Einbeziehung verschiedener Dialoggruppen ein digitales Training zur F{\"o}rderung der psychischen Gesundheit und Resilienz bei Jugendlichen erprobt wurde. Das Training kann im Alltag auf dem Smartphone genutzt werden und bietet auf Person, Moment und Kontext zugeschnittene {\"U}bungen an. Die Weiterentwicklung einer bestehenden spielerischen Intervention zur F{\"o}rderung der navigationalen Gesundheitskompetenz f{\"u}r {\"a}ltere Menschen ist Gegenstand des n{\"a}chsten Vortrags. Abschließend wird ein partizipatives, human-centered-design Konzept auf den Kontext der Lausitz projiziert, um einen Beteiligungsraum zu schaffen, in dem die {\"U}bertragbarkeit von digitalen Gesundheitsinnovationen f{\"u}r die Region gepr{\"u}ft werden kann. Die gemeinsame Darstellung der Beitr{\"a}ge erm{\"o}glicht die Er{\"o}rterung des komplexen Themas der Erreichbarkeit durch digitale Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung und Pr{\"a}vention aus unterschiedlichen wissenschaftlichen, praxisnahen und prozessbegleitenden Sichtweisen und schafft die Grundlage f{\"u}r eine facettenreiche angewandte Diskussion zusammen mit interessierten Personen aus dem Plenum. {\"U}ber die inhaltliche Diskussion der Beitr{\"a}ge hinaus sollen Synergien und M{\"o}glichkeiten zuk{\"u}nftiger Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Fachbereichen der DGSMP und der DGPH im Themenfeld ausgelotet werden.}, language = {de} } @misc{BangertStablerHoffmannetal., author = {Bangert, Benjamin and Stabler, Martin and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Herath, Tim and Martens, Lea and Hecht, Henriette and Spallek, Jacob and Zeeb, Hajo and Ladewig, Katharina and Irrgang, Christopher}, title = {Assessing accessibility: a comprehensive multimodal study of primary care accessibility across Germany}, series = {German Medical Science}, journal = {German Medical Science}, doi = {10.3205/24gmds812}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0183-24gmds8122}, abstract = {Background: In the context of healthcare, primary care physicians represent the initial point of contact with the healthcare system [1]. In Germany, the use of motorised private transport for day-to-day travel remains the dominant mode of transport [2]. However, a range of factors, including environmental concerns, socio-economic challenges, and health-related issues, may act as deterrents for citizens from utilising these vehicles. This study aims to assess the geographical accessibility of primary care physicians by using alternative transportation modes, such as public transport or walking, to identify regions in Germany with limited accessibility to primary care physicians in order to ensure the equitable distribution of healthcare. Methods: A state-of-the-art routing engine [3] based on the RAPTOR algorithm is employed to calculate travel times from census grid cells to primary care physicians. The routing process incorporates multimodal transportation, including walking, biking, public transport and motorised private transport. Various metrics like the cost to closest facility, Hansen's accessibility measure, and the balanced floating catchment area [4], are utilised to analyse and compare the accessibility and distribution of primary care physicians when using different transportation modes. The data on travel times and frequencies are collected, analysed and visualised using R and Python implementations. Results: A preliminary analysis revealed disparities in how different modes of transport allow individuals to access primary care physicians within a reasonable travel time. It is notable that while public transport has the potential to replace motorised private transport in urban areas, the analysis indicates that it falls short in rural regions and smaller cities. In these key regions the coverage of services and the transport network do not meet the primary care demand as well as they do in urban areas. The preliminary study indicated that regions with higher socio-economic deprivation have less efficient access to primary care physicians by alternative transportation modes. The findings are visualised through heat maps, which highlight key regions where alternatives to motorised private transport do not adequately meet the needs of the population. Conclusion: The study suggests that in Germany, public transport may not yet be sufficient to ensure accessibility to primary care physicians for those without access to motorised private transport, particularly in smaller cities and rural regions. This is probably of particular relevance for the elderly and parents with children likely to have higher primary care needs. Enhanced public transport options could be pivotal in addressing these gaps in equitable healthcare access, especially for rural regions. Although mobile health services suffer from inherent limitations, such as gaps in adaptation for different socio-economic groups [5], they could be employed to address existing scarcities in the transportation networks and ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to access essential healthcare services in an efficient manner. References 1. World Health Organization; UNICEF. Operational framework for primary health care: transforming vision into action. Geneva: World Health Organization, UNICEF; 2020 [cited 2024 Apr 27]. p. 13. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240017832 2. European Commission: Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport. EU transport in figures: Statistical pocketbook 2023. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union; 2023. p. 49 3. Higgins C, Palm M, DeJohn A, Xi L, Vaughan J, Farber S, et al. Calculating place-based transit accessibility: Methods, tools and algorithmic dependence. JTLU. 2022; 15(1):95-116. 4. Paez A, Higgins C, Vivona SF. Demand and Level of Service Inflation in Floating Catchment Area (FCA) Methods. PLOS ONE. 2019;14(6):e0218773. 5. Kumar D, Hemmige V, Kallen MA, Giordano TP, Arya M. Mobile Phones May Not Bridge the Digital Divide: A Look at Mobile Phone Literacy in an Underserved Patient Population. Cureus. 2019;11(2):e4104.}, language = {en} }