The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3124.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - 11:15 AM

Abstract #54173

Automated mapping and calculation of Standard Incidence Ratio for Public Health: Custom Geographic Information System (GIS) application development

Joan Gardner1, Suzanne K. Condon2, Theresa Cassidy3, and Brian Hebert1. (1) Applied Geographics, Inc., 355 Congress St, Suite 300A, Boston, MA 02210, 617 292-7125, jng@appgeo.com, (2) Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108, (3) MA Dept. of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental Health, 250 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108-4619

Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI) worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health/Bureau of Environmental Health to create an application that would automate the calculation, reporting, and mapping of the Standard Incidence Ratio for cancer data by census tract. The application meets a critical need to be responsive to public inquiry about “cancer clusters” and to proactively investigate patterns of cancer incidence. This presentation: · Describes the problem and introduces GIS technology · Details the data development and integration process that paralleled the application development effort. Of note, the application solves problem of changes in census tract boundaries from 1990 to 2000 census. · Describes and demonstrates the features and functionality of the final application - on screen, on demand mapping and SIR calculation by census tract for cancer data, tabular and thematic map viewing and printing.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Disease Data

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI) & Massachusetts Department of Public Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment

Innovative Use of Technology in Public Health Practice

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA