Results

The network analysis only identified 281 of the 296 DAs. A second network analysis was done with a greater buffer area of 400m to capture these 15 missing cases but even still, a few DAs were not accounted for, and their surface travel time was estimated based on their nearest neighbour ( Network Analysis).

The travel times to the nearest chronic disease services (analysis 1; Travel Time to CD services) were very short; maximum travel time from DA to service was 14.3min and mean travel time was 3.8min. For the purposes of our study travel times to the nearest chronic disease service was considered insignificant, and thus no vulnerable populations were identified. Conversely, and not surprisingly, travel times to Lions Gate Hospital (analysis 2) revealed much longer travel times: maximum travel time was 30.1min and mean travel time was 6.7min (Travel Time to LGH).

SES scores ranged from 48.2% to 95.4%, with a mean average score of 65.8% (North Shore SES). For a description of the proportion and average values for each demographic (income, education, employment, minority and age) please see each respective maps methods.  A regression analysis between individual DA travel times to Lions Gate Hospital and Socio economic status score reveal no significant correlation, as expected (R square  = 0.12, Regression Results Table).

Though there were not any associations between the lowest SES and longest travel times, Graph 1 does illustrate 7 DAs with a travel time greater than 15min and a lower SES score (lower than the mean SES = 65.8); highlighted in red in Graph 1: Travel Time vs SES. These DAs are also illustrated in the Vulnerable Populations map and a described in the table below. In addition, DAs with a travel time greater than 20min are highlighted in green in Graph 1: Travel Time vs SES, but all of these cases have a SES greater than the mean SES, and thus lack the social component of limited access.

Table of Vulnerable Populations (Zoom of Vulnerable Populations)