ArticleBMC health services research2026
Regional disparities, dynamic evolution, and convergence of China's resident health service development levels.
Article in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundChina has achieved notable progress in economic and social development over the past decade. However, regional disparities—especially in Health Service Development Level (HSDL)—remain significant, challenging national health goals and public health sustainability. This study evaluates China’s HSDL, explores causes of regional inequality, and proposes policy recommendations to optimize resource allocation and address health disparities.
methodsWe used panel data from 31 provinces (2012–2021) to build a composite HSDL index via the CRITIC weighting method. Dagum’s Gini coefficient measured regional disparities, and kernel density estimation analyzed distribution patterns. Moran’s I index assessed spatial autocorrelation. Traditional and spatial Markov chain models examined dynamic transitions, while spatial econometric models (SDM, SEM, SAR) explored spatiotemporal evolution and convergence.
resultsFrom 2012 to 2021, China’s HSDL rose steadily, peaking in 2020, mainly due to coordinated health policies and COVID-19 responses. Eastern provinces maintained high HSDL, while western regions improved significantly through health poverty alleviation efforts, narrowing interregional gaps. In 2021, a slight decline was observed, likely due to reduced public health investment and shifting policy priorities post-pandemic. Spatial analysis showed clustering of high HSDL in the east, with notable internal disparities in the west. Markov model comparisons revealed strong transition inertia and lock-in effects, especially in low-HSDL regions. Spatial econometric models confirmed a trend of spatial convergence, with shrinking gaps among eastern, central, and western areas.
conclusionDespite national progress in HSDL, regional imbalances and unequal resource distribution persist, particularly in western provinces. Future strategies should focus on balanced development by improving basic healthcare services, promoting equitable resource allocation, and enhancing targeted policy support for underserved regions.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.