Introduction: Regional disparities in population health constitute a pressing public health challenge, particularly in developing and transitional economies. In Uzbekistan, systematic evaluations of health inequalities at the subnational level remain constrained by the paucity of composite analytical frameworks. This study assesses spatial and temporal variations in population health across Uzbekistan employing a composite Public Health Index (PHI). Methods A longitudinal ecological analysis encompassing all 14 administrative regions of Uzbekistan from 2010 to 2023 was conducted. The PHI integrated three principal indicators: life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rate, and access to healthcare services. Data were obtained from the Statistical Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Indicators underwent min-max normalization, equal weighting, and aggregation to derive annual PHI scores and the long-term Average Public Health Index (APHI). Spatial autocorrelation and visualization were performed using ArcGIS 10.8 to delineate regional patterns. Results Pronounced and persistent inter-regional disparities have emerged. APHI scores spanned 6.73 (Tashkent City) to 13.87 (Fergana), with Samarkand registering 13.00. Regions burdened by elevated environmental stressors and constrained healthcare access consistently exhibited suboptimal PHI values. Spatial analysis revealed a marked east-west gradient, underscored by significant clustering of high- and low-performing regions. Discussion Findings elucidate the interplay of environmental, healthcare access, and socioeconomic determinants in perpetuating health inequities. Although the PHI affords transparency and efficacy, its omission of income disparities and direct environmental exposures represents a methodological limitation. Conclusion The PHI provides a robust, policy-oriented instrument for surveilling regional health disparities in Uzbekistan, informing evidence-based planning and equitable resource distribution.
Normurod et al. (Wed,) studied this question.