Transport Accessibility Gaps and Care Delays in Disabled Patient Groups: Survey Analysis

Abstract

The intersection of transportation accessibility and healthcare utilization represents a critical area of study within public health and urban sociology. Individuals with disabilities frequently experience compounded disadvantages when navigating built environments, which directly impacts their ability to access timely medical care. This paper presents a comprehensive survey analysis examining the specific transport accessibility gaps that contribute to care delays among disabled patient groups. By synthesizing self-reported data from a large-scale sociological survey, this research identifies the primary infrastructural, systemic, and socioeconomic barriers that hinder reliable transit to healthcare facilities. The study investigates multiple modalities of transport, including public transit networks, specialized paratransit services, and private vehicle utilization, evaluating how deficiencies in each mode correlate with missed appointments, delayed diagnoses, and interrupted treatment regimens. The findings reveal a significant statistical relationship between the frequency of transport disruptions and the severity of subsequent care delays, particularly among individuals with mobility and visual impairments. Furthermore, the analysis highlights disparities between urban and rural environments, demonstrating that geographic isolation exacerbates the vulnerabilities of disabled populations. Ultimately, this research provides evidence-based insights for urban planners, healthcare administrators, and policymakers to develop integrated, inclusive transport frameworks that mitigate care delays and promote equitable health outcomes for disabled communities.