Research on the spatial aggregation characteristics of medical and health facilities in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration based on POI

Abstract Understanding the spatial layout structure and its influencing factors on the supply of medical and health resources in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration is crucial for promoting regional integration and achieving balanced inter-regional medical service development. This study investigates the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration using kernel density analysis and average nearest neighbor distance analysis. By utilizing Gaode open-source POI data from 2023, the spatial aggregation characteristics of medical and health facilities in the region are examined. Additionally, the geographical detector method is employed to explore the factors influencing regional imbalance, focusing on population density, traffic accessibility, policy inclination, and residents' income levels. The findings reveal a clear spatial clustering of medical and health facilities, with the lowest clustering observed in professional public health institutions. Shanghai serves as the core of clustering, with notable agglomeration in all metropolitan areas, while the Anhui urban agglomeration shows weaker overall clustering. The spatial clustering of medical and health facilities results from the interaction of multiple factors, with combined factors having a more significant impact than single factors. Policy inclination emerges as the most significant single factor affecting clustering. These results offer valuable insights for the sustainable and healthy development of the medical industry in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration and provide data support for fostering coordinated regional integration.