{"title":"Exploring vulnerability amplification in regional health inequality: COVID-19 case study in Czechia","authors":"Pavlína Netrdová , Klára Hulíková Tesárková , Dagmar Dzúrová","doi":"10.1016/j.apgeog.2025.103565","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper proposes a novel conceptual framework of vulnerability amplification to examine regional health inequalities. It combines differential vulnerability in health and social amplification of risk, as mechanisms of differential vulnerability are shaped by mechanisms of social amplification and mutually influence the level and dynamics of regional health inequalities. A spatial epidemiology analytical framework is used to examine ecological and spatial interdependencies, as well as the effects of compositional (population structure) and contextual factors (health intervention), alongside the spatiotemporal effects on regional health outcomes. An empirical application of the concept using the example of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis at the micro-regional level in Czechia documents widening regional health disparities during the health crisis, with the most vulnerable regions most affected. In the case of a possible future health crisis, this conceptual and methodological approach can enhance management of impacts through effective, better-targeted preventive measures that account for fundamental regional differences and specificities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48396,"journal":{"name":"Applied Geography","volume":"177 ","pages":"Article 103565"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Applied Geography","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0143622825000608","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GEOGRAPHY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This paper proposes a novel conceptual framework of vulnerability amplification to examine regional health inequalities. It combines differential vulnerability in health and social amplification of risk, as mechanisms of differential vulnerability are shaped by mechanisms of social amplification and mutually influence the level and dynamics of regional health inequalities. A spatial epidemiology analytical framework is used to examine ecological and spatial interdependencies, as well as the effects of compositional (population structure) and contextual factors (health intervention), alongside the spatiotemporal effects on regional health outcomes. An empirical application of the concept using the example of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis at the micro-regional level in Czechia documents widening regional health disparities during the health crisis, with the most vulnerable regions most affected. In the case of a possible future health crisis, this conceptual and methodological approach can enhance management of impacts through effective, better-targeted preventive measures that account for fundamental regional differences and specificities.
期刊介绍:
Applied Geography is a journal devoted to the publication of research which utilizes geographic approaches (human, physical, nature-society and GIScience) to resolve human problems that have a spatial dimension. These problems may be related to the assessment, management and allocation of the world physical and/or human resources. The underlying rationale of the journal is that only through a clear understanding of the relevant societal, physical, and coupled natural-humans systems can we resolve such problems. Papers are invited on any theme involving the application of geographical theory and methodology in the resolution of human problems.