Hengna Ren

Abstract Background/purpose: Broad medical insurance coverage alone does not ensure that a multilevel medical security system works effectively. In a megacity, the key issue is whether residents can reach suitable care, keep choices across provider tiers, and use high-quality services within daily time–space constraints.

Abstract Background: The uneven distribution of healthcare resources and jobs-housing spatial separation are reshaping the spatiotemporal patterns of urban patient flows. This structural mismatch exacerbates inequalities in service utilization and imposes hidden geographic and social costs.

1 Introduction The optimal allocation of healthcare resources is an important guarantee for achieving sustainable economic and social development, and is the key to enjoying basic healthcare services for all, meeting people’s health needs, and promoting the construction of a healthy China (1). The level of healthcare resource allocation in a country or region is not only directly related to people’s health, but also affects the smooth development of the economy and society (2).