Health and distance to healthcare in Papua New Guinea

This study uses household survey data from 2009-2010 merged together with geospatial data from the United Nations on health facilities to examine the association between distance to health care facilities, health, and health care usage in Papua New Guinea, one of the most isolated and rural countries in the world. Greater distance from health care facilities reduces access to health care by presenting transportation challenges and is expected to reduce both health care usage and individual health. Results from multivariate regression analysis suggest distance is a detracting factor, although other factors such as education, socioeconomic status, and access to resources matter more