[Geographical accessibility to health centers and urban planning in Fuenlabrada (Madrid)].

Abstract

Background: The accessibility of care can be inappropriate due to a scarce or nonexistent collaboration between health and urban planners at the time of urban planning.

Methods: The study was carried in the city of Fuenlabrada (145.506 inhabitants), located in the metropolitan area of Madrid. The city is divided in six Basic Zones with a Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in each one of them. Isometric curves between were drawn on a map between the "starting" and "destination" points (Residential points formed by group of houses and their PHCC, respectively). The average and maximal distances were calculated. A scale to measure geographical accessibility was designed.

Results: The 55.646 houses of the city were grouped into 209 "starting points" for the six PHCC ("destination points"). 93 isometric curves were drawn. The average and maximal distances were 910 and 3.900 meters, respectively. The application of our accessibility scale shows that 3 Basic Zones have optimum accessibility, 2 have good accessibility an the last one has bad accessibility.

Conclusions: The accessibility to the PHCC in Fuenlabrada is adequate. If the housing plan continues, in 1995 the city will need a new PHCC and a reorganization of Basic Zones.