In September 2025, I presented my research at the XII Scientific Congress of Healthcare Professionals, organized by the Hungarian Chamber of Healthcare Professionals (MESZK). The conference provided an important interdisciplinary forum for discussing evidence-based approaches to healthcare practice, prevention, and system-level performance measurement.
My presentation focused on the measurement of health promotion performance in relation to the territorial distribution of Health Development Offices (HDO) in Hungary. The core objective of the study was to assess how spatial accessibility, concentration patterns, and uncertainty affect the efficiency and sustainability of preventive health services.
The research applied a quantitative, data-driven methodology, combining geospatial analysis with concentration and inequality indicators. The locations of all 108 HDO Offices were mapped using QGIS, and territorial patterns were evaluated using the Lorenz curve, Gini index, location quotient (LQ), Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI), and Shannon entropy. In addition, network analysis was performed to explore structural differences in service portfolios and potential efficiency gaps.
The results indicate that the territorial distribution of EFI Offices is more balanced than initially expected, characterized by low concentration (HHI = 0.062) and high entropy (H = 1.24), suggesting wide coverage but a high degree of uncertainty in spatial patterns. At the same time, moderate inequalities persist (Gini = 0.24), and certain counties remain underrepresented. The analysis also revealed substantial heterogeneity in service structures, pointing to differences in local capacity utilization, cost efficiency, and program composition.
From a health policy and gerontosociological perspective, the findings highlight a key challenge: while diversity in service provision supports adaptation to local needs, the lack of standardized performance indicators and protocols may hinder long-term sustainability and comparability across regions. Measuring health promotion outcomes in relation to spatial and organizational structures is therefore essential for improving equity, efficiency, and strategic planning.
Overall, the presentation emphasized that primary prevention is not only a professional task but a measurable system-level performance, and that understanding uncertainty, concentration, and accessibility patterns can significantly contribute to more effective health development strategies.
The presentation received the award for Best Presentation of the Section.
The presentation is available for download: