Mapping Geographic Access to Illinois Birthing Hospitals, 2016–2023

PEER REVIEWED

Three maps show driving time from US census block centroids to the nearest birthing hospital. Driving time increases outward from populated areas to rural areas. Map A shows 2016 travel times. Drive times increase outward, from 11 to 20 minutes to 91 to 120 minutes, mostly in rural and southern Illinois. Map B shows 2023 travel times, which suggest some hospital closures increased travel times. Map C highlights changes from 2016 to 2023, ranging from minor to moderate increases of 1 to 30 minutes to the largest increases of 31 to 60 minutes, underscoring reduced access to birthing hospitals in rural regions. This progression reveals increasing travel challenges for Illinois residents, especially in rural areas.

Three maps depict driving time from Illinois census blocks to the nearest birthing hospital in 2016 (Map A) and 2023 (Map B). Driving time to the nearest birthing center increased near hospital closures, particularly in the east and southeast, near Kankakee and Carbondale (Map C). Source: Illinois Department of Public Health, US. Census Bureau.

Return to Article

Top