AUTHOR=Ji Hao , Yu Yingying 

TITLE=Examining coordination and equilibrium: an analysis of supply index and spatial evolution characteristics for older adult services in Zhejiang Province

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1222424

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1222424

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution and dynamic evolution of elderly service supply in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2019. Additionally, this research seeks to propose an optimized resource allocation strategy for elderly care services, promoting regional fairness and coordinated development.[Methods] To evaluate the elderly service supply capacity, this research first constructed an evaluation index system based on the Chinese modernization development pattern. Then, an empirical analysis was carried out using a combination of the entropy-TOPSIS method, kernel density estimation, Markov chain analysis, Dagum Gini coefficient, and panel regression model. [Results] The results show an overall upward trend in the supply and service capacity of elderly care in the whole province. However, the spatial distribution of elderly service supply capacity in Zhejiang Province still exhibits a gradient effect, even in the most recent year of 2019. Furthermore, the supply capacity of elderly services shifted to a higher level in the whole province, and regions with high supply capacity had a positive spillover effect on adjacent regions. The overall difference in the elderly service supply capacity of the province showed a decreasing trend. The level of economic development, urbanization rate, transportation capacity, the level of opening up, and the proportion of employees in the tertiary industry had a significant impact on the supply capacity and spatial difference of elderly services. [Conclusion] From the findings, this study puts forth countermeasures and suggestions to optimize the spatial distribution of elderly care services. This includes giving full play to the regional spatial linkage effect, promoting newtype urbanization construction, upgrading the transportation network, and expanding the opening up of the industrial structure. By implementing these measures, a more equitable and coordinated elderly services system can be developed in Zhejiang Province.