How accessible are needle exchange programs in Manhattan to injecting drug user populations? A closer look at geographic access to needle exchange programs using a Geographic Information System (GIS)

Amy Welton, BA
Center for Health Education and Research (CHER)
University of Washington, 901 Boren Ave, Suite 1100
Seattle, Washington, 98104 USA
Phone: 206-685-5303 Fax: 206-221-4945
Email: mailto:wamy@u.washington.edu

Ken Patterson, BA
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

David Gilbert, BA
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA


Abstract
Objectives: This study assessed the geographic proximity of needle exchange programs to the injecting drug user (IDU) populations they serve in the borough of Manhattan (New York, NY) and the suitability of new needle exchange locations in Manhattan.

Methods: Spatial and tabular data was collected regarding needle exchange locations, IDU population locations and Manhattan school locations. This data was analyzed with a geographic information system (GIS), using spatial analysis.

Results: There was a lack of access to services in Washington Heights and Central Harlem, two neighborhoods in Upper Manhattan.

Conclusions: New needle exchange programs could be opened to decrease the gap in service provision and increase geographic access to the programs.

Recommendations: The researchers recommend an expanded study of the high risk populations in Washington Heights and Central Harlem to determine (a) what other prevention services are needed, (b) where new needle exchanges would have the greatest impact and (c) ways to synthesize multiple types of prevention services to better serve the needs of the existing populations