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This research investigates how geographic access to pediatric cardiac services varies with neighborhood health determinants.

May 16, 2026Open Access

Geospatial Access to Pediatric Cardiac and Cardiac‐Surgical Services by Neighborhood‐Level Determinants of Health

Puntos clave

This research investigates how geographic access to pediatric cardiac services varies with neighborhood health determinants.
Geospatial analysis of access to pediatric cardiac hospitals defined by drive-time catchments (0–30, 31–60, 61–120, and 121–240 minutes).
Comparisons of Child Opportunity Index, racial and ethnic population percentages, and urban–rural residence by geographic access were conducted.
Prevalence ratios analyzed limited access for low Child Opportunity Index and underserved populations against high, while controlling for hospital characteristics.
Limited access to pediatric cardiac care was 3.64 times higher in very low Child Opportunity Index catchments compared to very high (95% CI, 2.61–5.07).
Catchments with more than 60 minutes drive time had an average of over 6 points lower Child Opportunity Index.
Higher prevalence of limited access was observed in rural versus urban areas (prevalence ratio 3.48 [3.02, 4.00]).

Resumen

Background Access to quality health care is a key social determinant of health. We determined whether geographic access to pediatric cardiac services differed by neighborhood‐level opportunity, racial and ethnic population composition, and urbanicity. Methods Geospatial analysis delineated geographic access to hospitals with pediatric cardiac and cardiac‐surgical services. Geographic access was defined in 4 drive‐time catchments (0–30, 31–60, 61–120, and 121–240‐minutes) and dichotomizing direct (≤60‐minute) versus limited (>60‐minute) access. Mean predicted Child Opportunity Index (COI), percentage of racial and ethnic populations considered medically underserved and rural–urban residence were compared by geographic access. Prevalence ratios compared the prevalence of limited geographic access for low COI and percentage of populations medically underserved catchments compared with high, and rural versus urban areas. Additional analyses controlled for hospital characteristics. Results Limited access to pediatric cardiac and surgical care was more prevalent in very low quintile COI catchments versus very high (prevalence ratio, 3.64 95% CI, 2.61–5.07 and 2.98 95% CI, 2.04–4.35, respectively). Catchments with >60‐minute drive time to cardiac care had on average>6 point lower COI. Catchments closer to cardiac services were more urban and with a higher percentage of populations medically underserved. Prevalence of limited geographic access to pediatric cardiac care was higher in rural versus urban catchments (prevalence ratio, 3.48 3.02, 4.00). Incorporating hospital characteristics increased COI differences and attenuated the higher percentage of populations medically underserved with direct cardiac‐surgical access. Conclusions On average, areas with fewer neighborhood‐level resources promoting healthy child development are associated with greater distance to pediatric cardiac services. Geospatial analyses identify specific areas with limited access to cardiac care to focus future resource allocation.

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