Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Health and GIS: Toward Spatial Statistical Analyses

  • Published:
Journal of Medical Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which health studies, mostly in public health and epidemiology, used geographical information systems (GIS). We identified a wide range of tools they used—ranging from geocoding through simple buffer/overlay functions to spatial query functions. However, studies tend to rely on tools outside of GIS for spatial statistical analyses. This may reflect a lack of spatial statistical tools that are suitable for health researchers whose data are rather geographically aggregated count data than continuous data. Implementation within GIS of spatial analytical tools suitable for aggregated data over a region will increase the use of GIS beyond simple GIS operations in health studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Krivoruchko, K., and Gotway, K., Expanding the “S” in GIS: Incorporating Spatial Statistics in GIS. Retrieved Oct. 2003, from http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisxtensions/geostatistical/pdf/spatialstatisticsingis.pdf, 2002.

  2. Krivoruchko, K., Gotway, K., and Zhigimont, A., Statistical Tools for Regional Data Analysis Using GIS. Retrieved Oct. 2003, from http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisxtensions/geostatistical/pdf/polygonal_data_analysis.pdf, 2002.

  3. Miranda, M., Dolinoy, D. C., and Overstreet, M. A., Mapping for prevention: GIS models for directing childhood lead poisoning prevention programs. Environ. Health Perspect. 110(9):947–953, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rytkonen, M., Moltchanova, E., Ranta, J., Taskinen, O., Tuomilehto, J., and Karvonen, M., The incidence of type 1 diabetes among children in Finland: Rural-urban difference. Health Place 9(4):315–325, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Talbot, T., Kulldor, M., Forand, S., and Haley, V., Evaluation of spatial filters to create smoothed maps of health data. Stat. Med. 19:2399–2408, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Yiannakoulias, N., Rowe, B. H., Svenson, L. W., Schopflocher, D. P., Kelly, K., and Voaklander, D. C., Zones of prevention: The geography of fall injuries in the elderly. Soc. Sci. Med. 57(11):2065–2073, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Clary, T., and Ritz, B., Pancreatic cancer mortality and organochlorine pesticide exposure inCalifornia, 1989–1996. Am. J. Ind. Med. 43:306–313, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gotway-Crawford, G., Expanding the “S” in GIS: Statistics and Spatial Support. ASA/ENVR Workshop on Spatial Statistics. Retrieved Oct. 2003, from http://www.pnl.gov/statenvi/envrann/StatGIS /GotwayCrawford.pdf, 2002.

  9. O'Neill, L., Estimating out-of-hospital mortality due to myocardial infarction. Health Care Manage. Sci. 6:147–154, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Luo, W., Using a GIS-based floating catchment method to assess areas with shortage of physicians. Health Place 10(1):1–11, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bithell, J. F., A classification of disease mapping methods. Stat. Med. 19:2203–2215, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Pope, C. A.,III, Burnett, R., Thun, M., Calle, E., Krewski, D., Ito, K., and Thurston, G., Lung cancer, cardiopulmonary mortality, and long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution. JAMA 287:1132–1141, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Joines, J. D., Hertz-Picciotto, I., Carey, T. S., Gesler, W., and Suchindran, C., A spatial analysis of county-level variation in hospitalization rates for low back problems in North Carolina. Soc. Sci. Med. 56(12):2541–2553, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rull, R. P., and Ritz, B., Historical pesticide exposure in California using pesticide use reports and land-use surveys: An assessment of misclassification error and bias. Environ. Health Perspect. 111(13):1582–1589, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Rushton, G., Public health, GIS, and spatial analytic tools. Annu. Rev. Public Health 24(3):43–56, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  16. MacDorman, M. F., and Gay, G. A., State initiatives in geocoding vital statistics data. J. Public Health Manage. Pract. 5(2):91–93, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Healthy People 2010. Vol. I 2nd edn. Retrieved Oct. 2003, from http://www.healthypeople.gov/ document/tableofcontents.htm.

  18. UCGIS Education White Paper: Research-Based GIScience Graduate Education. Retrieved Nov. 2003, from http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/other/ucgis/ed_priorities/research.html

  19. Gotway, C., and Young, L., Combining incompatible spatial data. J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 97(458):632–648, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Administration, College of Health Professions, Governors State University, University Park, Illinois, 60466

    Kyusuk Chung & Ralph Bell

  2. Chapin Hall Center for Children, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

    Duck-Hye Yang

Authors
  1. Kyusuk Chung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Duck-Hye Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ralph Bell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kyusuk Chung.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chung, K., Yang, DH. & Bell, R. Health and GIS: Toward Spatial Statistical Analyses. Journal of Medical Systems 28, 349–360 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOMS.0000032850.04124.33

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOMS.0000032850.04124.33

Search

Navigation