Development status and access to health care resources using numerical taxonomy and Morris Model: A case study

Promotion of health and access to healthcare resources are regarded as one of the main factors affecting the development of every country. This goal can be achieved as a result of fair distribution and proper access of individuals to healthcare resources. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the status of the development of Kurdistan province towns and access to healthcare resources, using numerical taxonomy and Morris Model. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study and all towns of Kurdistan province (10 towns) were evaluated in regard to healthcare indices. Data concerning 23 health indices were obtained from statistical yearbook of Kurdistan province. Status of development was assessed by using numerical taxonomy and Morris model. The score of development was 0.877 to 0.489 based on numerical taxonomy and 0.278 to 0.753, based on Morris model. Regarding development and access to health resources, Sanandaj and Sarvabad ranked as the first and last areas respectively. The results showed that, regarding health care resources, there is a high inequality among the towns of Kurdistan province. Therefore, allocation of resources in different parts of Kurdistan should be based on the degree of development of the towns in this province.