Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42210288›Full record

ArticleHuman resources for health2026

Addressing geographical disparities in the allocation of hospital human resources: an examination of health inequalities in Iran.

Hakimeh Mostafavi, Efat Mohamadi, Amirhossein Takian, Ahad Bakhtiari, Jawad Jafarzadeh, Alireza Olyaeemanesh

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Article in Human resources for health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Hakimeh MostafaviHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Efat MohamadiHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. e-mohamadi@sina.tums.ac.ir.
Amirhossein TakianHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Ahad BakhtiariHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Jawad JafarzadehHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Alireza OlyaeemaneshHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. arolyaee@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHuman resources are fundamental to improving both service quality and patient outcomes. Given the critical role of accurate data on workforce distribution as a key hospital resource in planning and policymaking, this study aims to assess inequalities in the distribution of hospital human resources and their association with hospital mortality rates across the provinces of Iran. DATA AND

methodsThis cross-sectional quantitative study covered 31 provinces across Iran, analyzing data from 383 districts, which represent a comprehensive national-level examination of human resource distribution in the healthcare sector. The Gini coefficient was calculated at both national and sub-national levels. Additionally, stratified analyses were conducted by region to determine whether inequalities were more pronounced in specific geographic areas.

resultsThe analysis of hospital human resources revealed mean physician and nurse densities of 0.34 and 1.28 per bed, respectively, with relative ratios (RR) of 0.67 and 0.80. The Gini coefficients indicated moderate inequality for physicians (0.19) and low inequality for nurses (0.10), while other staff showed intermediate values (mean 0.44, Gini 0.15). Variability across provinces was reflected in standard deviations, with the highest inequality observed in physician distribution (max Gini 0.59). These findings highlight uneven distribution patterns of hospital workforce components.

conclusionsThe Gini coefficients indicate notable disparities, particularly among physicians, where some provinces experience far worse staffing levels compared to others. Targeted interventions, including incentivizing healthcare professionals to work in underserved areas and improving resource allocation models, are essential to enhance the fairness and efficiency of Iran's healthcare system.

Indexed as

Healthcare DisparitiesHealth WorkforceHospital MortalityHospitalsMedical Staff, HospitalNursing Staff, HospitalPhysiciansResource AllocationCross-Sectional StudiesHumansIranSocioeconomic Disparities in HealthAllocationGeographical disparitiesHealth inequalitiesHospital human resourcesIran

Identifiers

PMID42210288
PMCPMC13418774

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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.