Healthcare Facility Location: A Breast Cancer Alliance Case Study

Author

Alexandra Knopf, Clark UniversityFollow

Date of Award

5-2016

Degree Type

Final Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Community Development and Planning (CDP)

Department

International Development, Community and Environment

Chief Instructor

Marianne Sarkis

Second Reader

Kathryn Madden

Abstract

Community health is impacted by the location of a health advocacy agency. This commissioned report for the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greenwich, CT, consists of a location analysis to review potential cities in which they might locate expansion efforts. Such cities include Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Greenwich, CT, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Washington, D.C. This report will look at five ways (4 mathematical and one spatial) of conducting a location analysis that require specialized knowledge for interpretation. For this study, a Spatial Geographic Information System methodology is preferred because of the visualization component, which can ensure that all stakeholders understand proposed options. Using a spatial Weighted Linear Combination tool to account for BCA’s preferred location criteria, hospital location, competitor location, breast cancer incidence rates, education attainment and median household income, this investigation will identify the best new city in which BCA can locate another office and make the greatest impact on its contribution to breast cancer related healthcare. The analysis suggests that Los Angeles, CA is the best option given the criteria used. The final section of this report suggests several factors that BCA and its Board of Directors should take into consideration before making a decision to relocate to a new city.

Recommended Citation

Knopf, Alexandra, "Healthcare Facility Location: A Breast Cancer Alliance Case Study" (2016). Sustainability and Social Justice. 59.
https://commons.clarku.edu/idce_masters_papers/59