MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'International Journal of Health Geographics' source. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:35:55 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5671767&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F11%2F1%2F4 Conclusions: The results suggest a possible increased risk of NHL mortality among populations residing in the vicinity of refineries; however, a potential distance trend has not been shown. Regional effects in the Canary Islands and Galicia are significantly greater than the regional average. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5671767 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5671767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5671766&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F11%2F1%2F5 Conclusions: Knowledge of the occurrence of gastrointestinal problems in populations is better understood if viewed in a context were the social environment is included. Indicators of the social environment should therefore also be considered in future studies of the occurrence of gastrointestinal problems. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5671766 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5671766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5589993&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F11%2F1%2F3 Background: Progress has been made recently in estimating ambient PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5589993 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5589993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5589994&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F11%2F1%2F2 This paper presents the design and development of an open source web-based Geographical Information System allowing users to visualise, customise and interact with spatial data within their web browser. The developed application shows that by using solely Open Source software it was possible to develop a customisable web based GIS application that provides functions necessary to convey health and environmental data to experts and non-experts alike without the requirement of proprietary software. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5589994 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5589994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5589995&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F11%2F1%2F1 Conclusions: Our study suggests that neighborhood characteristics related to greater affluence, occupation, and education are associated with higher type 1 diabetes risk. Further research is needed to understand mechanisms underlying the influence of neighborhood context. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5589995 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5589995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5555642&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F70 We describe the conceptual framework that MCDA offers as well as technical considerations, approaches to implementation and expected outcomes. We conclude that MCDA is a powerful tool that offers tremendous potential for use in public health decision-making in general and vector-borne disease management in particular. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5555642 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5555642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5541351&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F69 Conclusions: The system features query on the fly technology, which means the data is not generated until the query is provided to the system. This allows users to interact in real-time with the databases and generate customized reports and maps. To the author's knowledge, the Breast Health Portal and Project Safety Net are the first local-scale interactive online mapping interfaces for public health data which allow users to control the data generated. For example, users may generate breast cancer incidence rates by Census tract, in real time, for women aged 40-64. Conversely, they could then generate the same rates for women aged 35-55. The queries are user controlled. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5541351 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5541351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530555&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F67 'Wikification of GIS by the masses' is a phrase-term first coined by Kamel Boulos in 2005, two years earlier than Goodchild's term 'Volunteered Geographic Information'. Six years later (2005-2011), OpenStreetMap and Google Earth (GE) are now full-fledged, crowdsourced 'Wikipedias of the Earth' par excellence, with millions of users contributing their own layers to GE, attaching photos, videos, notes and even 3-D (three dimensional) models to locations in GE. From using Twitter in participatory sensing and bicycle-mounted sensors in pervasive environmental sensing, to creating a 100,000-sensor geo-mashup using Semantic Web technology, to the 3-D visualisation of indoor and outdoor surveillance data in real-time and the development of next-generation, collaborative natural user interfaces th... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530555 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5530554&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F68 Background: Epidemiologic studies have linked exposure to traffic-generated air and noise pollution with a wide range of adverse health effects in children. Children spend a large portion of time at school, and both air pollution and noise are elevated in close proximity to roads, so school location may be an important determinant of exposure. No studies have yet examined the proximity of schools to major roads outside of the US. Methods: Data on public elementary schools in Canada's 10 most populous cities were obtained from online databases. School addresses were geocoded and proximity to the nearest major road, defined using a standardized national road classification scheme, was calculated for each school. Based on measurements of nitrogen oxide concentrations, ultrafine particle count... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5530554 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5530554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5509877&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F66 We examined whether residing in neighborhoods with higher levels of greenness was associated with higher levels of outdoor physical activity among preschoolers. In addition, we also explored whether outdoor playing behaviors (e.g., active vs. quiet) were influenced by levels of neighborhood greenness independent of demographic and parental support factors. Results: Higher levels of neighborhood greenness as measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was associated with higher levels of outdoor playing time among preschool-aged children in our sample. Specifically, a one unit increase in neighborhood greenness increased a child's outdoor playing time by approximately 3 minutes. A dose-response relationship was observed between increasing levels of parental support for ph... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5509877 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5509877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5499581&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F65 Conclusions: The proposed methodology provides a simple and general framework for objective characterisation of the landscape to account for field observations. The use of this method enabled us to identify different optimal observation horizons around houses, depending on the Plasmodium species considered, and to demonstrate significant correlations between environmental features and the incidence of malaria. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5499581 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5499581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5481354&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F63 Conclusions: Analyzing temporal trends in cancer incidence and mortality rates outside a spatial framework is unsatisfactory, since it leads one to overlook significant geographical variation which can potentially generate new insights about the impact of various interventions. Differences observed among nested geographies in Florida show how the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) also impacts the analysis of temporal changes. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5481354 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5481354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5481353&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F64 Conclusions: Sequence alignment is a promising method of linking GPS and travel diary data in large population datasets, especially if limitations in the trip detection algorithm are addressed. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5481353 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5481353 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5463268&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F62 Conclusions: In this paper, we developed web-based client application and a set of geoprocessing web services to support specific health-spatial requirements. Spatial density maps of TB incidence were generated to help health professionals in analysis and decision-making tasks. The combined use of geographic information tools, map viewers, and geoprocessing services leads to interesting possibilities in handling health data in a spatial manner. In particular, the use of spatial density maps has been effective to identify the most affected areas and its spatial impact. This study is an attempt to demonstrate how web processing services together with web-based mapping capabilities suit the needs of health practitioners in epidemiological analysis scenarios. (Source: International Journal of ... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5463268 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5463268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5426367&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F61 Conclusions: This study demonstrates the usefulness of advanced spatial analysis to both quantify excess infant mortality risk at the lowest administrative unit, as well as the use of Bayesian modelling to quantify determinant significance given spatial correlation. The "novel" integration of determinant prevalence at the sub-district and coefficient estimates to estimate attributable fractions further elucidates the "high impact" factors in particular areas and has considerable potential to be applied in other locations. The usefulness of the paper, therefore, not only suggests where to intervene geographically, but also what specific interventions policy makers should prioritize in order to reduce the infant mortality burden in specific administration areas. (Source: International Journa... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5426367 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5426367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5414822&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F60 Conclusions: Our study provides at a local scale a quantitative evidence of the seasonal variability of contact rate between wild and domestic bird populations. It illustrates a GIS-based methodology for estimating epidemiological contact rates at the wildlife and livestock interface integrating high-resolution satellite telemetry and remote sensing data. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5414822 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5414822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5414823&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F59 Conclusions: Our study shows a clear gradual decline of cardio-vascular mortality and some of its risk factors from East to West in Austria. Concerning these risk factors, the geographic region and psycho-social discomfort showed the greatest association with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity. Hence, they contribute to the explanation of the variance in spatial cardio-vascular disease mortality. Yet, a large proportion of this variance remains unexplained. It would be of great importance to public health and preventive measures to take a closer look at spatial differences in cardio-vascular disease morbidity and mortality to better tailor programmes to the regional environments and settings. Our results also call for a greater importance of preventative measures for psycho-socia... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5414823 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5414823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5371182&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F58 Conclusions: Area units used in population health studies should be delineated so as to represent the a priori scale of the expected scale interaction between neighbourhood processes and health. A thorough understanding of the role of the MAUP in the study of the relationship between NO2 and respiratory health is necessary for research into disease pathways based on statistical models, and for decision-makers to assess the scale at which interventions will have maximum benefit. In general, more research on the role of spatial representation in health studies is needed. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5371182 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5371182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5328374&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F56 Conclusions: Household location affected the overall probability of recruitment, and the probability of recruitment by a specific recruiter. Patterns of recruitment do not appear to have greatly biased estimates in this study. The observed patterns could result in bias in more geographically heterogeneous populations. Care is required in RDS studies when choosing the network size question and interview site location(s). (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5328374 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5328374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5328373&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F57 Conclusion: For future maps to be comparable across place and time, we propose the use of the age at midpoint of population susceptibility as a standard indicator for the level of hepatitis A endemicity within a world region. We also call for the creation of an accessible active database for population-based age-specific HAV seroprevalence and incidence studies. Health risk maps for other conditions with rapidly changing epidemiology would benefit from similar strategies. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5328373 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5328373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5319406&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F55 Conclusions: The present study provides the first scientometric approach that visualizes research activity on the subject of drowning. It can be assumed that the scientific approach to this topic will achieve even greater dimensions because of its continuing actuality. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5319406 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5319406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5291149&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F54 Conclusions: Smoothing methods have different advantages depending upon both internal model assumptions that affect smoothing strength and external data environments, such as spatial correlation of the observed data. Further model comparisons in different data environments are required to provide public health practitioners with guidelines needed in choosing the most appropriate smoothing method for their particular health dataset. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5291149 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5291149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5291150&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F53 Conclusions: The elliptic scan method and flexible scan method seemed the most able to detect clusters of a rare disease in a large territory. However, the probability of detecting small clusters with relative risk lower than 3.0 remained low with all the methods tested. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5291150 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5291150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5279434&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F52 Conclusions: Being female was observed to be a risk factor for brucellosis sero-positvity and among urban dwellers, living in slum areas was also a risk factor although the overall risk was not different among urban, peri-urban and rural areas of the Kampala economic zone. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5279434 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5279434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5255495&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F51 Conclusions: Cervical cancer incidence was shown to be highly correlated with spatially varying covariates that are available through national datasets. As a result, it was shown that if low social status sectors of the population are to be targeted preferentially, this targeting should be done on a region-by-region basis such as to optimize health outcomes. While such a strategy may be difficult to implement in practice, the research does highlight the inequalities inherent in a uniform intervention approach. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5255495 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5255495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5092432&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F47 ${item.shortDescription} (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5092432 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5092432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5092431&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F48 ${item.shortDescription} (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5092431 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5092431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5074668&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F46 ${item.shortDescription} (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5074668 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5074668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5067239&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F45 Depth sensors such as Microsoft Kinect and ASUS Xtion can provide a natural user interface (NUI) for controlling 3-D (three-dimensional) virtual globes such as Google Earth (including its Street View mode), Bing Maps 3D, and NASA World Wind. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5067239 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5067239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5060620&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F44 ${item.shortDescription} (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5060620 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5060620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5046007&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F43 ${item.shortDescription} (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5046007 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5046007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4943103&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F42 Conclusions: The results illustrate that a concentration of "very high" risk people live within the urban heat island, and this should be taken into account by urban planners and city centre environmental managers when considering climate change adaptation strategies or heatwave alert schemes. The methodology has been designed to be transparent and to make use of powerful and readily available datasets so that it can be easily replicated in other urban areas. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4943103 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4943103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4929759&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F41 Conclusions: Increasing the amount of drinking water available to households through increased density of tubewells contributed to lower reports of cholera and shigellosis events in rural Bangladesh. Our findings demonstrate the importance of tubewell installation and access to groundwater in reducing diarrheal disease events in the developing world. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4929759 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4929759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4918270&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F40 Conclusions: The use of SDSS in the prioritization of MCI evacuation decision making is potentially valuable in cases of mass casualty. The key to this model is the utilization of pre-calculated driving times from each hospital in the region to each point on the road network. The incorporation of real-time traffic and hospital capacity data would further improve this model. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4918270 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4918270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4859674&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F39 Conclusion: The SUPREME system was implemented and used during the summer of 2010. It served as an important decision-making tool during the July 2010 heat wave in Quebec. Planned improvements for 2011 include the integration of data related to other risk factors for other extreme events to the system. The next steps will be to provide access to the application for other groups of specialists involved in the prevention, monitoring or analysis of meteorological extreme events and their effects on community health and well-being. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4859674 Tue, 24 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4859674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4859675&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F38 Conclusion The approach used in this analysis, which was bolstered by a series of checks and balances throughout the process, gives statistical validity to the defined zones and resulted in a robust series of Data Zones for use by Peel Public Health. We conclude by offering insight into alternative uses of the methodology, and limitations. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4859675 Fri, 20 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4859675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4846124&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F36 Background: The deprived physical environments present in slums are well-known to have adverse health effects on their residents. However, little is known about the health effects of the social environments in slums. Moreover, neighbourhood quantitative spatial analyses of the mental health status of slum residents are still rare. The aim of this paper is to study self-rated mental health data in several slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh, by accounting for neighbourhood social and physical associations using spatial statistics. We hypothesised that mental health would show a significant spatial pattern in different population groups, and that the spatial patterns would relate to spatially-correlated health-determining factors (HDF). Methods: We applied a spatial epidemiological approach, includin... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4846124 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4846124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4846123&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F37 Conclusions: Results provide impetus for identifying and understanding the complex relationship between access to all fast-food opportunities, rather than to traditional fast-food restaurants alone, and fast-food consumption. The results indicate the importance of further examining the complex interaction of gender and distance in rural areas and particularly in fastfood consumption. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the need for health promotion and policy efforts to consider all sources of fast-food as part of promoting healthful food choices. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4846123 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4846123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4846125&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F35 Conclusions: We suggest that geographic profiling could form a useful component of integrated control strategies relating to a wide variety of infectious diseases, since evidence-based targeting of interventions is more efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective than untargeted intervention. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4846125 Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4846125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4826543&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F34 Conclusion: By neglecting to consider food retailers just outside study area boundaries, previous studies may significantly over-report the actual distance necessary to travel for food. Research on food access spanning large rural regions requires methods that accurately geocode residents and their food sources. By implementing methods akin to those in this paper, future research will be better able to identify areas with poor food accessibility. Improving identification of food desert communities is a first step in facilitating more effective deployment of food policies and programs in those communities. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4826543 Sat, 14 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4826543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4818193&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F33 Conclusions: The homogeneity we found in the deprivation-mortality relationship across the regions of Scotland and the absence of a contextualized effect of region highlights the importance of taking a broader strategic policy that can combat the toxic impacts of socio-economic deprivation on health. Focusing on a few specific places (e.g. 15% of the poorest areas) to concentrate resources might be a good start but the impact of socio-economic deprivation on mortality is not restricted to a few places. A comprehensive strategy that can be sustained over time might be needed to interrupt the linkages between poverty and mortality. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4818193 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4818193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4810465&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F32 Conclusions: Our findings were consistent with what we expected, given the fact that many of the commonly used pesticides and air pollutants included in the EPA cancer risk score are classified as endocrine disruptors and ER+ breast cancers respond more strongly to estrogen than ER- breast cancers. The findings of this study suggest that ER+ and ER- breast cancers have different risk factors. This finding should be taken into consideration in future studies that seek to understand environmental risk factors for breast cancer. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4810465 Mon, 09 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4810465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4800834&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F31 Conclusions: The PWD to parks provides a consistent platform for evaluating spatial equity of park access and linking with population health outcomes. It could be an informative evaluation tool for health professionals and policy makers. This new method could be applied to quantify geographic accessibility of other type of services or destinations, such as food, alcohol, and tobacco outlets. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4800834 Sun, 08 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4800834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4786743&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F30 Conclusion: With a more thorough understanding of the spatial relationships between alcohol outlets and the distribution of assaults, policymakers in urban areas can make more informed regulatory decisions regarding alcohol licenses. Further, this research suggests that public health officials and epidemiologists need to develop a better understanding of what actually occurs in and around alcohol outlets, determining what factors (whether outlet, neighborhood, or spatially related) help fuel their relationship with violence and other alcohol-related harm. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4786743 Tue, 03 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4786743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4730504&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F28 Conclusion: The study revealed significant geographic variability in HIV infection in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4730504 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4730504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4718196&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F27 After publication of this work [International Journal of Health Geographics 2011, 10:6] it was brought to our attention that the map of Barcelona in figure 2 was reversed. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4718196 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4718196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4708098&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F26 We examined data from 101,287 bystander-witnessed OHCA patients who received emergency medical services (EMS) through 4,729 ambulatory centers in Japan between 2005 and 2007. Latitudes and longitudes of each center were determined with address-match geocoding, and linked with the Population Census data using GIS. The endpoints were 1-month survival and neurologically favorable 1-month survival defined as Glasgow-Pittsburgh cerebral performance categories 1 or 2.Results Overall 1-month survival was 7.8%. Neurologically favorable 1-month survival was 3.6%. In very low-density ( (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4708098 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4708098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4680390&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F25 Conclusions: HFMD propagates in a composite space-time domain rather than showing a purely spatial and purely temporal variation. There is a clear relationship between HFMD occurrence and climate. HFMD cases are geographically clustered and closely linked to the monthly precipitation types of the region. The occurrence of the former depends on the later. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4680390 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4680390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4662264&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F23 Conclusion: The two new algorithms are effective in detecting the location and boundary of spatial clusters with arbitrary shapes. Additional research is needed to better understand the etiology of the concentration of murine typhus cases in some counties in south Texas. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4662264 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4662264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4657232&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F22 Conclusions: The 911 surveillance system provides timely notification of possible public health events, but did have limitations. While the alarms contained incident codes and location of the caller, additional information such as medical status was not available to assist validating the cause of the alarm. Furthermore, users indicated better understanding of 911 system functionality is necessary to understand how it would behave in an actual water contamination event. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4657232 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4657232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4639664&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F21 Conclusion: Our results provide the first quantitative tests of most appropriate uses of different remotely sensed data sets in ecological niche modeling applications. While our testing did not result in a decisive "best" index product or means of summarizing indices, it emphasizes the need for careful evaluation of products used in modeling (e.g. matching temporal dimensions and spatial resolution) for optimum performance, instead of simple reliance on large numbers of data layers. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4639664 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4639664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4620336&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F20 Conclusions: The use of different methods for estimating the spatial risk posed by pollution from TRI sites can give different results about the impact of those sites on health outcomes. The most reliable estimates did not always come from the most complex methods. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4620336 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4620336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4599050&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F19 The goal of visual analytics is to facilitate the discourse between the user and the data by providing dynamic displays and versatile visual interaction opportunities with the data that can support analytical reasoning and the exploration of data from multiple user-customisable aspects. This paper introduces geospatial visual analytics, a specialised subtype of visual analytics, and provides pointers to a number of learning resources about the subject, as well as some examples of human health, surveillance, emergency management and epidemiology-related geospatial visual analytics applications and examples of free software tools that readers can experiment with, such as Google Public Data Explorer. The authors also present a practical demonstration of geospatial visual analytics using parti... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4599050 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4599050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4534758&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F18 Conclusions: Efforts to reduce diabetes among adult African American Medicaid recipients must extend to rural African Americans. Ring maps can be used to integrate diverse data sets, explore attribute associations, and achieve insights critical to the promotion of population health. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4534758 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4534758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4530574&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F16 Conclusions: Our study has demonstrated that the modeling of data in time and space has additional benefits over a purely spatial analysis. In addition to highlighting the areas with high and low relative risks, this model also allows the simultaneous study of persistency of spatial patterns over time and detection of `unusual' time trends that may warrant further investigation. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4530574 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4530574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4530573&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F17 Conclusions: The usage density of 5-9 CIP DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants within the same influence zone was the resistance triggering level. This level led to E. coli resistance clustering, proving that individual resistance emergence and dissemination was affected by antimicrobial population consumption. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4530573 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4530573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4493408&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F14 Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the health intervention programmes established in Manhica to alleviate the effects of flooding on child mortality should cover a period of around five years and that special attention might be focused on eradicating malaria transmission. These outcomes also suggest the utility of suitably modelling space-time trend variations in a region when a point effect of an environmental factor affects all the study area. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4493408 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4493408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4481106&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F13 Recent studies have suggested a systematic geographic pattern of esophageal cancer (EC) and gastric cancer (GC) incidence in the Caspian region of Iran. The aims of this study were to investigate the association between these cancers and the region's dietary and socioeconomic risk factors and to map of EC and GC after adjustment for the risk factors and the removal of random and geographic variations from area specific age standardised incidence ratios (SIRs).We obtained cancer data from the Babol cancer registry from 2001 to 2005, socioeconomic indices from the Statistical Centre of Iran, and dietary patterns from the control group in a case control study conducted in the study region. Regression models were fitted to identify significant covariates, and clusters of elevated rates were id... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4481106 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4481106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4435638&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F12 Conclusions: The ratios of metastatic to non-metastatic cases of all-type, female genital system and lung cancers at diagnosis were statistically correlated with socioeconomic deprivation. Potential mediators for the correlation warrant further investigation in order to reduce health disparities associated with socioeconomic inequality. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4435638 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4435638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4404028&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F11 Conclusions: Commuting is a critical aspect of the health-environment relationship in contaminated areas. The proposed methodology can be replicated to different contexts when residential information is lacking or unreliable; however, a careful consideration of the territorial characteristics ("insularity" and its impact on transportation time and costs, in our case) is suggested when specifying the area of application for the mobility analysis. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4404028 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4404028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4397937&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F10 Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that air pollution is a moderate risk factor for lung cancer. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4397937 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4397937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4392766&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F9 Conclusions: Although careful consideration of many issues is required, chronic disease atlases are a useful tool for assessing and quantifying geographical inequalities. In addition they help focus research efforts to investigate why the observed inequalities exist, which in turn inform advocacy, policy, support and education programs designed to reduce these inequalities. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4392766 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4392766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4381217&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F7 Conclusions: This study suggests that a statistical approach to estimating surface temperature incorporating both spatially explicit satellite data and time-varying meteorological data may be relevant to assessing exposure to heat during the warm season in the Quebec. By allowing the estimation of space- and time-specific surface temperatures, this model may also be used to assess the possible impacts of land use changes under various meteorological conditions. It can be applied to assess heat exposure within a large population and at relatively fine-grained scale. It may be used to evaluate the acute health effect of heat exposure over long time frames. The method proposed here could be replicated in other areas around the globe for which satellite data and meteorological data is availabl... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4381217 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4381217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4341561&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F6 Conclusion: This study has analysed inequalities in cancer mortality in small areas of cities in Spain, not only relating this mortality with socioeconomic deprivation, but also calculating the excess mortality which may be attributed to such deprivation. This knowledge is particularly useful to determine which geographical areas in each city need intersectorial policies in order to promote a healthy environment. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4341561 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4341561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4335776&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F5 Conclusions: This study revealed that there are significant differences in risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality between the populations in the studied different social environments. These differences seem to be profound and stable over time and thereby give implication for public health policy to initiate a community intervention program in the "blue-collar" twin city. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4335776 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4335776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4329625&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F2 Conclusions: Accessibility is a multi-dimensional concept that should integrate some aspects of travel behaviour. Our work supports the evidence that the choice of appropriate accessibility indices including both residential and non-residential environmental features is necessary. Such models have potential implications for providing relevant information to policy-makers in the field of public health. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4329625 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4329625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4329624&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F10%2F1%2F3 Conclusions: The suggested method will improve the interpretability of choropleth maps for policymakers and health authorities. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4329624 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4329624 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4270207&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F61 Conclusions: For large data sets, it is often advantageous to replace computer intensive Monte Carlo hypothesis testing with this new method of fitting a Gumbel distribution to random data sets generated under the null, in order to reduce computation time and obtain much more precise p-values and slightly higher statistical power. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4270207 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4270207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4256818&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F60 Conclusions: We conclude that the obtained results are satisfactory in support of the human plague research in which this study is embedded, and that this approach can be applied in other studies with similar goals. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4256818 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4256818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4174149&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F59 Conclusions: Because of a probable increase in the number of dementia patients, service provision has to be accessible even in rural areas. Due to this and the fact that demographic change is happening at different paces in different regions, regional variations have to be considered to ensure the future service provision. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4174149 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4174149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4137668&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F58 Conclusions: The low number of aquatic habitats available and the ability to locate the limited number of aquatic habitat locations for surveillance, especially those containing anopheline larvae, suggest that larval control maybe a cost-effective control measure in the fight against malaria in Zambia and other regions with seasonal transmission. This work shows that, in areas of seasonal malaria transmission, incorporating terrain-based landscape models to the planning stages of vector control allows for the exclusion of significant portions of landscape that would be unsuitable for water to accumulate and for mosquito larvae occupation. With increasing free availability of satellite imagery such as SRTM and LandSat, the development of satellite imagery-based prediction models are becomin... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4137668 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4137668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4123596&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F57 Conclusions: Full involvement of NSSCPs, NGOs and Research Institutes in building the Atlas of HAT contributes to the efficiency of the mapping process and it assures both the quality of the collated information and the accuracy of the outputs. Although efforts are still needed to reduce the number of undetected and unreported cases, the comprehensive, village-level mapping of HAT control activities over a ten-year period ensures a detailed and reliable representation of the known geographic distribution of the disease. Not only does the Atlas serve research and advocacy, but, more importantly, it provides crucial evidence and a valuable tool for making informed decisions to plan and monitor the control of sleeping sickness. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4123596 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4123596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4114821&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F55 Conclusions: We show that, compared to the other single-objective algorithms, multi-objective scans present better performance, regarding power, sensitivity and positive predicted value. The multi-objective non-connectivity scan is faster and better suited for the detection of moderately irregularly shaped clusters. The multi-objective cohesion scan is most effective for the detection of highly irregularly shaped clusters. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4114821 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4114821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4114820&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F56 Conclusions: The methods developed in this paper serve as a model for the involvement of communities in the generation of municipal maps and their application to community and health concerns. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4114820 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4114820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4114822&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F54 Conclusions: A static view of the "pathogenecity" of landscapes overlays maps of the spatial distribution of vectors and their habitats, animal hosts carrying specific pathogens and their habitat, and susceptible human hosts and their land use. A more dynamic view emphasizing the spatial and temporal interactions between these agents at multiple scales is more appropriate. We also highlight the complementarity of the modelling approaches used in our case studies. Integrated analyses at the landscape scale allows a better understanding of interactions between changes in ecosystems and climate, land use and human behaviour, and the ecology of vectors and animal hosts of infectious agents. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4114822 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4114822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4114823&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F53 Conclusion: The finding of this study suggests that given the geographical variation in tube-well water contamination, higher fetal loss and infant deaths were observed in the areas of higher arsenic concentrations in groundwater. This illustrates a possible link between arsenic contamination in tube-well water and adverse pregnancy outcome. Thus, these areas should be considered a priority in arsenic mitigation programs. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4114823 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4114823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4103722&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F52 Conclusions: The analysis shows large disparities in accessibility between seniors and non-seniors, between urban and suburban seniors, and between vehicle owning and non-owning seniors. This research was concerned with potential accessibility levels. Follow up research could consider the results reported here to select case studies of actual access and usage of health care facilities, and related health outcomes. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4103722 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4103722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4084586&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F51 Conclusions: Spatial aggregation error can significantly affect the coefficient values and inferences drawn from statistical models of the association between cancer outcomes and spatial and non-spatial variables. Relying on data at the zip code level may lead to inaccurate findings on health risk factors. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4084586 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4084586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4063895&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F50 Conclusions: CCHS variables are moderately spatially autocorrelated, making kriging a valid method for predicting values at unsampled locations. The derived variables are reliable but somewhat smoother, with smaller variations than the real values. As potential neighbourhood exposures in spatial statistical modeling, these variables are more suitable to be used for exploring potential associations than for testing the significance of these associations, especially for associations that are barely significant. Given the spatial dependency of current health-related risks, the developed procedures are expected to be useful for other similar health surveys to obtain small area level indicators. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4063895 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4063895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3991349&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F48 Conclusions: The simultaneous occurrence of clusters of humans and broilers positive for Campylobacter spp. combined with the knowledge that poultry meat has a nationwide distribution indicates that campylobacteriosis cases might also be caused by other risk factors than consumption and handling of poultry meat.Broiler farms that are positive could contaminate the environment with further spread to new broiler farms or to humans living in the area and local environmental factors, such as climate, might influence the spread of Campylobacter spp. in an area. Further studies to clarify the role of such factors are needed. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3991349 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3991349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3975234&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F46 Conclusions: We found the combination of Landsat 5 and 7 image data would clearly benefit pesticide exposure assessment in this region by 1) providing information on crop field conditions at or near the time when pesticides are applied, and 2) providing information for validating the CDWR map. The Landsat image time-series was useful for identifying idle, single-, and multi-cropped fields. Landsat data will be limited during the winter months due to cloud cover, and for years prior to the Landsat 7 launch (1999) when only one satellite was operational at any given time. We suggest additional research to determine the feasibility of integrating CDWR land use maps and Landsat data to derive crop maps in locations and time periods where maps are not available, which will allow for substantial... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3975234 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3975234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3964178&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F45 Conclusions: The results show that it is possible to produce detailed, contemporary and easily updatable settlement and population distribution datasets of Somalia using existing data. The 2010 population dataset produced is freely available as a product of the AfriPop Project and can be downloaded from: www.afripop.org. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3964178 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3964178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3931710&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F44 Conclusions: There are considerable differences across states in the socio-ecological context of CRC screening by endoscopy, suggesting that the current decentralized configuration of state-specific comprehensive cancer control programs is well suited to respond to the observed heterogeneity. We find that interventions to mediate language barriers are more critically needed in some states than in others. Medicare managed care penetration, hypothesized to affect information about and diffusion of new endoscopic technologies, has a positive association in only a minority of states. This suggests that managed care plans' promotion of this cost-increasing technology has been rather limited. Area poverty has a negative impact in the vast majority of states, but is positive in five states, sugge... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3931710 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3931710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3864203&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F42 Conclusions: Our approach suggests that a combination of landscape and climatic variables as well as host-species dynamics influence TBE infection risk in humans. The model was unable to explain some of the temporal variation, specifically the high counts in 2005 and 2006. Factors such as the exposure of humans to infected ticks and forest rodent population dynamics, for which we have no data, are likely to be explanatory factors. Such information is required to identify the determinants of TBE more reliably. Having records of TBE infection sites at a finer scale would also be necessary. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3864203 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3864203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3857150&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F41 Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that both age and socioeconomic inequality contribute to AMI admissions to hospital in Melbourne during hot weather. By using socioeconomic circumstance to define quintiles, differences in AMI admissions were quantified and demographic differences in AMI admissions were described. Including disease specificity into climate-health research methods is necessary to identify climate-sensitive diseases and highlight the burden of climate-sensitive disease in the community. Cardiac disease is a major cause of death and disability and identifying cardiac-specific climate thresholds and the spatio-demographic characteristics of vulnerable groups within populations is an important step towards preventative health care by informing public health officials and... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3857150 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3857150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3793533&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F40 Conclusions: It is recommended that any study utilizing these measures should correct for edge effects. The use of edge correction via guard areas is recommended and the avoidance of large range distance-based accessibility measures is also proposed. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3793533 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3793533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3775247&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F38 This study aimed to investigate the relationship between different measures of physical access, including straight-line distances, road distances and travel time and the impact of these measures on the vaccination of children in Yemen. Methods: Coordinates of houses and health facilities were determined by GPS machine in Urban and rural areas in Taiz province, Yemen. Road distances were measured by an odometer of a vehicle driven from participants' houses to the nearest health centre. Driving time was measured using a stop-watch. Data on children's vaccination were collected by personal interview and verified by inspecting vaccination cards. Results: There was a strong correlation between straight-line distances, driving distances and driving time (straight line distances vs. driving dista... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3775247 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3775247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3766421&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F37 Conclusions: The GAM permutation testing methods provide a regression-based alternative to the spatial scan statistic. Across all hypotheses examined in this research, the GAM methods had competing or greater power estimates and sensitivities exceeding that of the spatial scan statistic. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3766421 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3766421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3739383&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F36 Conclusions: Cross-classified models allowed us to include more than one child per family even when families moved between births. There was evidence of mild associations between family SES and birth weight. Stronger associations between paternal occupation and birth weight were observed in models applied to reduced samples with hierarchical data structures, illustrating consequences of excluding observations from the cross-classified analysis. Models with limited covariates showed associations of birth weight with community SES. In models adjusting for a complete set of individual- and family-level covariates, community SES was not as important. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3739383 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3739383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3726048&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F35 Conclusions: This study investigates both relative and absolute racial disparities in breast cancer mortality between White non-Hispanic and African-American/Hispanic women at the census tract, zip code and county levels. Analysis at the census tract level generally led to a larger proportion of geographical units experiencing significantly higher mortality rates for minority groups, although results varied depending on the use of the relative versus absolute statistics. Additional research is needed before general conclusions can be formulated regarding the choice of optimal geographic regions for the detection of racial disparities. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3726048 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3726048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3709284&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F33 Conclusions: Our power analysis and simulation study show that the modified Moran's I achieved higher power than Moran's I and I*pop for evaluating global and local clustering patterns on geographic data with homogeneous populations. The inclusion of the PD weight function which in turn redefines the neighbors seems to have a large impact on the power of detecting global clustering patterns. Our methods to improve the original version of Moran's I for homogeneous populations can also be extended to some alternative versions of Moran's I methods developed for heterogeneous populations. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3709284 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3709284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3709283&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F34 Conclusion: Although the literature on neighborhood and health is increasing, little attention has been paid to criteria for demarcating neighborhoods. The proposed method is well-structured, available in open-access software, and easily reproducible, so we expect that new experiments will be conducted to evaluate its potential use in other settings. The method is thus a potentially important contribution to research on intra-urban differentials, particularly concerning contextual factors and their implications for different health outcomes. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3709283 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3709283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3689727&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F32 Background: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), the causative agent of Japanese encephalitis (JE), is endemic to the Republic of Korea (ROK) where unvaccinated United States (U.S.) military Service members, civilians and family members are stationed. The primary vector of the JEV in the ROK is Culex tritaeniorhynchus. The ecological relationship between Culex spp. and rice fields has been studied extensively; rice fields have been shown to increase the prevalence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. This research was conducted to determine if the quantification of rice field land cover surrounding U.S. military installations in the ROK should be used as a parameter in a larger risk model that predicts the abundance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations.Mosquito data from the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) mo... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3689727 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3689727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3669923&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F30 Conclusions: Highways induce social and environmental changes and play different roles in spreading and maintaining diseases and health threats. The most remote areas are still protected against violence but are vulnerable to malaria. Rapid economic and demographic growth increases the risk of AIDS transmission and violence. Highways connect secluded localities and may threaten local populations. This region has been undergoing rapid localized development booms, thus creating outposts of rapid and temporary migration, which may introduce health risks to remote areas. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3669923 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3669923 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3669922&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F31 Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is one of the most important biological contaminants in drinking water that produces life threatening infection in people with compromised immune systems. Dairy calves are thought to be the primary source of C. parvum contamination in watersheds. Understanding the spatial and temporal variation in the risk of C. parvum infection in dairy cattle is essential for designing cost-effective watershed management strategies to protect drinking water sources. Crude and Bayesian seasonal risk estimates for Cryptosporidium in dairy calves were used to investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of C. parvum infection on dairy farms in the New York City watershed. Results: Both global (Global Moran's I) and specific (SaTScan) cluster analysis methods revealed a signifi... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3669922 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3669922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3639735&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F28 Conclusions: We provide a new method for the detection of aggregations of events that does not rely ondistributional assumptions and performs well. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3639735 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3639735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3598125&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F26 Conclusion: Supermarkets and grocery stores are no longer the only shopping opportunities for fruits or vegetables. The inclusion of data on availability of fresh or processed fruits or vegetables in the measurements provides robust meaning to the concept of potential access in this large rural area. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3598125 Mon, 24 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3598125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3594485&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F25 Conclusion: This study examined the potential for Social Web and GeoWeb technologies to contribute to public health data collection and analysis in low-resource settings through an injury surveillance pilot study conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. The success of this study illustrates the great potential for these technologies to be leveraged for public health surveillance in resource-constrained environments, given their ease-of-use and low-cost, and the sharing and collaboration capabilities they afford. The possibilities and potential limitations of these technologies are discussed in relation to the study, and to the field of public health in general. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3594485 Sun, 23 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3594485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3576027&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F23 Conclusions: PubMed is a database of over 19 million biomedical abstracts and citations maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information; achieving quick filtering is an important contribution due to the database size and the recent, rapid escalation in attention to geographic factors in public health. The implementation of mechanisms for place-time-concept cross-filtering and for hierarchical application of that filtering makes it possible to narrow down efficiently and quickly from thousands of documents to a small subset that meet place-time-concept constraints. Support for a more-like-this query creates the potential to identify unexpected connections across diverse areas of research. Multi-view visualization methods support understanding of the place, time, and concept ... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3576027 Mon, 17 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3576027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3554863&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F22 Conclusions: These findings suggest that known populational and regional factors derived through census information only explain a limited fraction of the geographical variation of CD incidence and lead to speculate that the effects of these factors may be incompletely captured (imperfect construction of proxy variables) or that other important factors remain unmeasured. In this view, markers of genetic profiles of homogeneous sub-populations, and other factors linked to agroenvironmental microbial exposure should be further investigated. Once accounting for known factors, it would also be worth comparing adjacent geographical areas demonstrating abrupt changes in residual incidence rates to further explore effect linked to regional factors from those resulting from various reporting syste... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3554863 Tue, 11 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3554863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3548397&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F21 Background: We conducted spatial analyses to determine the geographic variation of cancer at the neighbourhood level (dissemination areas or DAs) within the area of a single Ontario public health unit, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, covering a population of 238,326 inhabitants. Cancer incidence data between 1999 and 2003 were obtained from the Ontario Cancer Registry and were geocoded down to the level of DA using the enhanced Postal Code Conversion File. The 2001 Census of Canada provided information on the size and age-sex structure of the population at the DA level, in addition to information about selected census covariates, such as average neighbourhood income. Results: Age standardized incidence ratios for cancer and the prevalence of census covariates were calculated for each of 331 di... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3548397 Sun, 09 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3548397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3497818&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F20 Conclusions: Joint analysis of the propensity and duration of AT behavior and an explicitly geographic approach can strengthen studies of the built environment and physical activity (PA), specifically AT. More rigorous analytical work on cross-sectional data, such as in the present study, continues to support the need for experimental and longitudinal study designs including the analysis of natural experiments to evaluate the utility of environmental interventions aimed at increasing PA. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3497818 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3497818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3489410&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F19 Conclusion: The trends found in this U.S. study suggest prostate cancer may be partially correlated with meteorological factors. The patterns observed were consistent with what we would expect given the effects of climate on the deposition, absorption, and degradation of persistent organic pollutants including pesticides. Some of these pollutants are known endocrine disruptors and have been associated with prostate cancer. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3489410 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3489410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3459342&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F18 Conclusions: The spatial analysis shows that women in India move towards a different mandal for getting tested on HIV. Given the scale of study and different types of movements involved, it is difficult to say where they move to and what the precise effect is on HIV registration. Better recording the addresses of tested women may help to relate HIV incidence to population present within a mandal. This in turn may lead to a better incidence count and therefore add to more reliable policy making, e.g. for locating or expanding health facilities. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3459342 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3459342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3381540&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F17 Conclusions: Experiments based on a real application for the Alberta breast cancer screening program show that our work can increase the accessibility of breast cancer screening services in the province. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3381540 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3381540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3361539&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F16 Disease surveillance makes use of information technology at almost every stage of the process, from data collection and collation, through to analysis and dissemination. Automated data collection systems enable near-real time analysis of incoming data. This context places a heavy burden on software used for space-time surveillance. In this paper, we review software programs capable of space-time disease surveillance analysis, and outline some of their salient features, shortcomings, and usability. Programs with space-time methods were selected for inclusion, limiting our review to ClusterSeer, SaTScan, GeoSurveillance and the Surveillance package for R. We structure the review around stages of analysis: preprocessing, analysis, technical issues, and output. Simulated data were used to revi... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3361539 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3361539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3325759&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F14 HTML5 is being developed as the next major revision of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the core markup language of the World Wide Web. It aims at reducing the need for proprietary, plug-in-based rich Internet application (RIA) technologies such as Adobe Flash. The canvas element is part of HTML5 and is used to draw graphics using scripting (e.g., JavaScript). This paper introduces Cartagen, an open-source, vector-based, client-side framework for rendering plug-in-free, offline-capable, interactive maps in native HTML5 on a wide range of Web browsers and mobile phones. Cartagen was developed at MIT Media Lab's Design Ecology group. Potential applications of the technology as an enabler for participatory online mapping include mapping real-time air pollution, citizen reporting, and disaste... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3325759 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3325759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3305268&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: As oseltamivir is a keystone of preparedness and treatment for pandemic H1N1, the potential for resistance to oseltamivir is an ongoing concern. Reassortment and, more likely, point mutation have the potential to create a strain of pandemic H1N1 against which we have a reduced number of treatment options. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3305268 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3305268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3300776&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F12 Conclusion: These data demonstrate that GIS/ remote sensing models and spatial statistics can capture space-varying functional relationships between field-sampled mosquito and bird parameters for determining risk for EEEV transmission. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3300776 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3300776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3286528&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F11 Conclusion: MosquitoMap is a public domain web resource that maps and compares georeferenced mosquito collection points to other spatial information, in a geographical information system setting. The MAC quantifies the Mal-area, i.e. the area where it is theoretically possible for vector-borne disease transmission to occur, thus providing a useful decision tool where other disease information is limited. The Mal-area approach emphasizes the independent but cumulative contribution to disease risk of the vector species predicted present. MosquitoMap adds value to, and makes accessible, the results of past collecting efforts, as well as providing a template for other arthropod spatial databases. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3286528 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3286528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3274935&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F9 Conclusions: :Sepsis mortality varies across the US. The states with highest sepsis mortality form a contiguous cluster in the Southeastern and mid-Atlantic US. These observations highlight unanswered questions regarding the characteristics and care of sepsis. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3274935 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3274935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261655&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F6 Conclusions: This study tested the performance of an SSO tool in a Canadian context, which is an important initial step before applying it to the study of health and disease. The tool demonstrated important shortcomings when applied to six diverse Toronto neighbourhoods. The study's analyses challenge previously held assumptions (e.g. social 'disorder') regarding neighbourhood social and built environments. For example, neighbourhood 'order' has traditionally been assumed to be synonymous with a certain degree of homogeneity, however the neighbourhoods under study were characterized by high degrees of heterogeneity and low levels of disorder. Heterogeneity was seen as an appealing feature of a block face. Employing qualitative techniques with SSO represents a unique contribution, enhancin... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261655 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3253269&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F5 Conclusion: This study highlights the differential effects of cold and hot periods on IHD in Quebec health regions depending on age, sex, and other factors such as smoking, behaviour and deprivation levels. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3253269 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3253269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3215242&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F4 Conclusions: The reallocation of ambulances to optimal locations improved response times and could contribute to higher survival rates from life-threatening medical events. Modelling EMS case 'demand' over census areas allows the data to be correlated to population characteristics and optimal 'supply' locations to be identified. Comparing current and future optimal scenarios allows more nuanced planning decisions to be made. This is a generic methodology that could be used to provide evidence in support of public health planning and decision making. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3215242 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3215242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3215243&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F3 Conclusion: We conclude that only a few foci appear to have been at the origin of each HPAI epidemic wave, leading to the practical action that surveillance and control must focus on farm to farm transmission rather than on emergence or wild fauna. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3215243 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3215243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3192206&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F2 Conclusion: While not perfect representations of the absolute distribution of P. papatasi and P. alexandri, these models indicate areas with a higher probability of presence of these species. This information could be used to help guide future research efforts into the ecology of these species and epidemiology of the pathogens that they transmit. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3192206 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3192206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3184451&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F9%2F1%2F1 Conclusions: Spatial detection accuracy improved notably with regard to both location and size when incidents were geocoded to street addresses rather than zip code centroids. Since street address geocoding success rates were only 73.5%, zip codes were still used for more than one quarter of ILI cases. Thus, further advances in spatial detection accuracy are dependant on systematic improvements in the collection of individual address information. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3184451 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3184451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3166084&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F73 Conclusions: The semiparametric method proposed in the paper can achieve good power when detecting localized cluster. The method does not require a specific distributional assumption other than the tilt function. In addition, it is possible to adapt other scan schemes (e.g., elliptic spatial scan, flexible shape scan) to search for clusters as well. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3166084 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3166084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3134949&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F73 Conclusions: The semiparametric method proposed in the paper can achieve good power when detecting localized cluster. The method does not require a specific distributional assumption other than the tilt function. In addition, it is possible to adapt other scan schemes (e.g., elliptic spatial scan, flexible shape scan) to search for clusters as well. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3134949 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3134949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3128249&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F72 Conclusions: The availability of geocoded collision data will be beneficial to clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the fields of traffic safety and public health. Potential uses of the data include studies of collision clustering on the highway system and examinations of the associations between collision occurrence and a variety of variables on environmental and social characteristics, including housing and personal demographics, alcohol outlets, schools, and parks. The ability to build maps may be useful in research planning and conduct and in the delivery of information to both technical and non-technical audiences. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3128249 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3128249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3110266&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F71 Conclusions: Taking into account the low mercury levels currently handled as acceptable, the majority of the Amazonian populations can be considered exposed to mercury contamination, without clear spatial trend. Knowing that these traditional Amerindian communities depend highly on fish, the situation is very complex and it remains difficult to assess the Public Health implication of the exposure in this specific context. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3110266 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3110266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3043168&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F69 Conclusion: Routine and ongoing geographic surveillance of chronic diseases is critical to developing an understanding of underlying epidemiology, and is critical to informing policy makers and the public about the health of the population. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3043168 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3043168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3038715&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F68 Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the feasibility of a novel, commercially available GPS data-logger for long-term tracking of humans and shows the potential of these units to quantify mobility patterns in relationship with dengue virus transmission risk in a tropical urban environment. Cost, battery life, size, programmability and ease of wear are unprecedented from previously tested units, proving the usefulness of GPS-dataloggers for linking movement of individuals and transmission risk of dengue virus and other infectious agents, particularly in resource-poor settings. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3038715 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3038715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3032868&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F66 Conclusions: Our findings highlight the link between social inequalities and intentional deaths, clearly showing the need for urgent social interventions to reduce violence and premature mortality. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3032868 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3032868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3032867&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F67 Conclusion: A real-time model using climate, land use, and animal surveillance data to predict WNV risk appears feasible. The dynamic patterns of WNV infection suggest a need to periodically refine such prediction systems. Methods: Using multiple logistic regression, the 30-day risk of human WNV infection by town was modeled using environmental variables as well as mosquito and wild bird surveillance. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3032867 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3032867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3021773&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F63 Conclusions: We assessed exposure using traffic data from 2 independent sources and compared the results of 4 different exposure metric types. The results indicate that traffic congestion may be one of the most important aspects of traffic-related exposures, despite being overlooked in many studies on the exacerbation of asthma. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3021773 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3021773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3021772&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F64 Conclusions: This study identified spatial and temporal patterns in cryptosporidiosis distribution.The study also showed benefit in performing spatial analyses at more than one spatial scale to assess geographical patterns in disease distribution and that smoothing of disease rates for mapping in small areas enhances visualisation of spatial patterns.These findings are relevant in guiding policy decisions on disease control strategies. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3021772 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3021772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3021771&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F65 Conclusion: Evidence shows that there is no decline in growth in the number of deaths due to TB among HIV positive in most Africa countries. There is presence of 'hot-spots' and very large differences persist between sub-regions. Only by tackling TB and HIV together will progress be made in reversing the burden of both diseases. There is a great need for scale-up of preventive interventions such as the World Health Organization '3I's strategy' (intensified case finding, isoniazid preventive therapy and infection control). (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3021771 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3021771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3006879&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F62 Conclusion: Among three methods of aggregation examined, the method that accounted for distance from participant's home to the pedestrian facility (distance weighting) is promising; at the same time, it requires the most time and effort to calculate. This finding is consistent with the behavioral assumption that travelers may respond to environmental features closer to their residence more strongly than to more distant environmental qualities. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3006879 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3006879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2946014&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F61 The first documented transmission of Chikungunya within Europe took place in Italy during the summer of 2007. Chikungunya, a viral infection affecting millions of people across Africa and Asia, can be debilitating and no prophylactic treatment exists. Although imported cases are reported frequently across Europe, 2007 was the first confirmed European outbreak and available evidence suggests that Aedes albopictus was the vector responsible and the index case was a visitor from India. This paper proposed pan-European surveillance zones for Chikungunya, based on the climatic conditions necessary for vector activity and viral transmission. Pan-European surveillance provides the best hope for an early-warning of outbreaks, because national boundaries do not play a role in defining the risk of t... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2946014 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2946014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2933433&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F60 Conclusions: Three results are significant. First, the shape of the probability distributions of positional error (e.g. circular, elliptical, cross) has little impact on the perturbability of spatial weights, which instead depends on the mean positional error. Second, our methodology allows researchers to evaluate the sensitivity of spatial statistics to positional accuracy for specific geographies. This has substantial practical implications since it makes possible routine sensitivity analysis of spatial statistics to positional error arising in geocoded street addresses, global positioning systems, LIDAR and other geographic data. Third, those locations with high perturbability (most sensitive to positional error) and high leverage (that contribute the most to the spatial weight being co... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2933433 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2933433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2911158&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F58 Temporal, spatial and space-time scan statistics are commonly used to detect and evaluate the statistical significance of temporal and/or geographical disease clusters, without any prior assumptions on the location, time period or size of those clusters. Scan statistics are mostly used for count data, such as disease incidence or mortality. Sometimes there is an interest in looking for clusters with respect to a continuous variable, such as lead levels in children or low birth weight. For such continuous data, we present a scan statistic where the likelihood is calculated using the the normal probability model. It may also be used for other distributions, while still maintaining the correct alpha level. In an application of the new method, we look for geographical clusters of low birth wei... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2911158 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2911158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2897604&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F57 Conclusions: Thermal remote sensing data can be utilized to improve understanding of intra-urban variations in risk from extreme heat. The refinement of current risk assessment systems could increase the likelihood of survival during extreme heat events and assist emergency personnel in the delivery of vital resources during such disasters. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2897604 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2897604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2885477&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F56 Conclusions: While a number of correlates of blood donation are observed across Canada, important contextual effects across metropolitan areas are highlighted. The paper concludes by looking at policy options that are aimed toward further understanding donor behaviour. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2885477 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2885477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2885478&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F55 Conclusions: SaTScan elliptic version is more efficient for outlier detection compared with the other methods evaluated in this article. Tango's MEET and Oden's I*pop perform best in global clustering scenarios among the selected methods. The use of SaTScan for data with global clustering patterns should be used with caution since SatScan may reveal an incorrect spatial pattern even though it has enough power to reject a null hypothesis of homogeneous relative risk. Tango's method should be used for global clustering evaluation instead of SaTScan. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2885478 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2885478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2874631&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F54 Conclusion: Fixed imputation methods seemed to yield greatest accuracy at the individual level, suggesting use for studies on area-level environmental exposures. Fixed methods result in artificial clusters in single census tracts. For studies focusing on spatial distribution of disease, random methods seemed superior, as they most closely replicated the true spatial distribution. When selecting an imputation approach, researchers should consider carefully the study aims. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2874631 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2874631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2841498&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F53 Background: Breast cancer in females and prostate cancer in males are two of the most common cancers in the United States, and the literature suggests that they share similar features. However, it is unknown whether the occurrence of these two cancers at the county level in the United States is correlated. We analyzed Caucasian age-adjusted county level average annual incidence rates for breast and prostate cancers from the National Cancer Institute and State Cancer Registries to determine whether there was a spatial correlation between the two conditions and whether the two cancers had similar spatial patterns. Results: There was a significant correlation between breast and prostate cancers by county (r =0.332, p (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2841498 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2841498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2827018&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F52 Conclusion: Cumulative frequency legends are useful supplements for choropleth maps. These legends can be constructed using readily available software. They contain all of the information found in standard choropleth map legends, and they can be used with any choropleth map classification scheme. Cumulative frequency legends effectively communicate the proportion of areas, the proportion of health events, and/or the proportion of the denominator population in which the health events occurred that falls within each class interval. They illuminate the context of disease through graphing associations with other variables. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2827018 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2827018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2743205&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F51 Conclusions: Locating such clusters will be useful to health services researchers and health policy makers; doing so enables targeted policy interventions to efficiently improve access to primary care. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2743205 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2743205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2673501&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F50 Conclusions: The GIS-agent based model designed for this study can be easily customized to study the disease spread dynamics of any other communicable disease by simply adjusting the modeled disease timeline and/or the infection model and modifying the transmission process. This type of simulations can help to improve comprehension of disease spread dynamics and to take better steps towards the prevention and control of an epidemic outbreak. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2673501 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2673501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2633184&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F49 Conclusions: This dengue surveillance program allows public health workers in resource-limited settings to accurately identify areas with high indices of mosquito infestation and interpret the spatial relationship of these areas with potential larval development sites such as garbage piles and large pools of standing water. As a result, it is possible to prioritize control strategies and to target interventions to highest risk areas in order to eliminate the likely origin of the mosquito vector. This program is well-suited for resource-limited settings since it utilizes readily available technologies that do not rely on Internet access for daily use and can easily be implemented in many developing countries for very little cost. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2633184 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2633184 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2619515&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F46 This paper offers a state-of-the-art overview of the intertwined privacy, confidentiality, and security issues that are commonly encountered in health research involving disaggregate geographic data about individuals. Key definitions are provided, along with some examples of actual and potential security and confidentiality breaches and related incidents that captured mainstream media and public interest in recent months and years. The paper then goes on to present a brief survey of the research literature on location privacy/confidentiality concerns and on privacy-preserving solutions in conventional health research and beyond, touching on the emerging privacy issues associated with online consumer geoinformatics and location-based services. The 'missing ring' (in many treatments of the t... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2619515 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2619515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2619514&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F47 Conclusions: Overall, we documented a variable environmental "fingerprint" for areas suitable for HPAI-H5N1 transmission. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2619514 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2619514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2613043&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F45 Conclusions: The spatial estimation method should be chosen according to characteristics of the selected data streams. In this dataset with strong day-of-week effects, the overall best detection performance was achieved using subregion averages over a 28-day baseline stratified by weekday or weekend/holiday behavior. Changing the estimation method for particular scenarios involving different spatial resolution or other syndromes can yield further improvement. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2613043 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2613043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2609744&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F44 Conclusions: According to our model the rates of temperature and precipitation changes observed between 1967 and 1998 may produce significant changes in the rodent distribution in an equivalent period of time only in certain areas. Given that changes maintain for 60 years or double in 30 years, the hantavirus reservoir Oligoryzomys longicaudatus may contract its distribution in Argentine Patagonia extensively. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2609744 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2609744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2597111&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F43 Conclusions: Significant spatial clustering of human WNV incidence has been demonstrated in the continental United States from 2002-2008. The two techniques were not always consistent in the location and size of clusters identified. Although there was significant inter-annual variation, consistent areas of clustering, with the most persistent and evident being in the Northern Great Plains, were demonstrated. Given the wide variety of mosquito species responsible and the environmental conditions they require, further spatio-temporal clustering analyses on a regional level is warranted. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2597111 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2597111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2568023&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F41 Conclusions: Based on this specific example, results suggest that these tests provide useful tools for evaluating spatial clustering of disease characteristics, both before and after consideration of covariates. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2568023 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2568023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2559364&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F40 The objective of this paper is to study on a scientifically sound basis the spatial distribution of risk for lung cancer mortality in the province of Lecce. Our goal is to demonstrate that most of the previous explanations are not supported by data: to this end, we will follow a hybrid approach that combines both frequentist and Bayesian disease mapping methods. Furthermore, we define a new sequential algorithm based on a modified version of the Besag-York-Mollie (BYM) model, suitably modified to detect geographical clusters of disease. Results: Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for lung cancer in the province of Lecce: For males, the relative risk (measured by means of SMRs, i.e. the ratios between observed and expected cases in each area under internal standardization) was judged to b... International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2559364 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2559364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2555128&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F39 Conclusion: The method can be used to differentiate between various LULC products and be applied to any such research when there is a known relationship between a species and land cover. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2555128 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2555128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2549961&cid=s_34072_46_f&fid=34072&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ij-healthgeographics.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F37 Conclusions: We conclude that the picture of Africa that emerges from anthropometric data is much less negative than that usually presented. Especially for Eastern and Central Africa, the nutritional status is less critical than commonly assumed and also mean calorie intake is higher, which implies that agricultural production and hence income must also have been growing at a pace at least high enough to keep up with population growth. In terms of methodology, our estimates form a base line for 2005 for the whole continent that can be easily updated with far less information for individual countries, as we show in an example for Ethiopia. (Source: International Journal of Health Geographics) International Journal of Health Geographics journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2549961 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2549961