Spatial cognition mechanism of health: The relationship between perceived accessibility of medical facilities and health and health behaviour

Abstract

There is no consistent conclusion on the impact of improving the physical accessibility of medical facilities/resources on the utilisation of medical facilities and health outcomes, which may be due to neglecting the role of spatial cognition of physical facilities, which will be directly related to health behaviour and outcomes. This article uses China Migrants Dynamic Survey to examine the relationship between perceived accessibility of medical facilities and health and health behaviour. The results show that perceived accessibility is positively associated with health and related behaviour. The higher the perceived accessibility to the medical facilities, the better the subjective and objective health status of migrant residents. Similarly, the more positive the preventive and healthcare-seeking behaviour is. This study suggests that public policymakers need to intervene in residents' spatial cognition of medical resources around their neighbourhoods to enhance the collective benefits of medical facilities.