Spatial access to substance abuse treatment for low-income and minority households: a case study in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Texas

Recent health care overhauls increase demand on services and give a whole new group of individuals the possibility of seeking out care and treatment. One area that often gets overlooked is the substance abuse treatment. Spatial access to healthcare facilities influences health services usage as distance to facilities was recognized as a significant barrier to health access. In this study using an enhanced two-step floating catchment method, we measured spatial access to substance abuse treatment facilities at the Census block group level in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Texas. The results show the access disparities vary spatially within block groups in this area. In addition, we identified hotspots for low-income and racial/ethnic minority households in the area and then compared them with the spatial accessibility environment to better understand the service coverage among low-income and minority communities. The results show that low income and minority have disadvantages to access to substance abuse treatment facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area.