This presentation explores how methodological frameworks developed for studying Multiple Sclerosis treatment accessibility can reveal critical insights into mental health care disparities. Drawing on ongoing research that maps geographic and socioeconomic barriers to disease-modifying therapies in the UAE, this talk demonstrates how geospatial analysis and accessibility modeling directly translate to mental health service delivery challenges.
The MS research methodology—examining urban-rural disparities, insurance coverage gaps, distance-to-specialist barriers, and socioeconomic determinants of care access—provides a robust analytical framework for understanding similar obstacles facing mental health patients. Both conditions share common accessibility challenges, including the concentration of specialized care in urban centers, stigma affecting treatment-seeking behavior, complex insurance navigation requirements, and significant geographic barriers to ongoing care.
Key findings reveal that patients requiring neurological interventions, whether for MS or mental health conditions, face parallel systemic barriers that traditional healthcare delivery models inadequately address. The presentation will demonstrate how geospatial modeling techniques can identify mental health care deserts, predict the effectiveness of interventions, and inform evidence-based policy decisions for resource allocation.
By applying proven research methodologies across neurological and mental health domains, this work provides actionable insights for developing integrated, digitally enabled care solutions that bridge geographic and socioeconomic divides—ultimately advancing both equitable access and measurable health outcomes in underserved populations.