“Spatial analysis of chronic disease outcomes in Panama City, Panama “

Background: The nutrition transition refers to urbanization in developing countries leading to shifts from energy-intensive jobs and traditional high-fiber, starch based diets to sedentary work and diets increasing in fat. Changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors like these contribute to poorer health and greater incidence of chronic disease. Urban regions are therefore more prone to this phenomenon, yet while literature recognizes this shift at a global scale, no published literature to date has evaluated this trend in Panama City, Panama.

Methods: The objective of this study was to utilize spatial analysis to understand chronic disease patterns specific to the Panama City metropolitan region. Secondary data analysis was performed on the 2012 de-identified Ministry of Health clinic database using SAS and GIS software.

Results: Of 3506 patients, point prevalence rates were estimated among the highest for obesity (44.4/100,000; n=760) hypertension (38.1/100,000; n=652), diabetes (22.3/100,000; n=382), and hypercholesterolemia (14.5/100,000; n=248). Disparities observed between urban and semi-urban districts show diabetes rates highest in semi-urban Tocumen, while Parque Lefebvre, closer to the city center marked among the highest in obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. 

Conclusion: Panama’s urban chronic disease rates show consistency with nutrition transition dietary trends. Greater research and spatial analysis is necessary to understand risk factors in highly reported neighborhoods and to determine how spatial factors such as obesity-promoting food environments impact community health outcomes.  Additionally, greater attention must be sought for chronic disease maintenance and prevention targeting known risk factors and considering spatial environments to positively affect the quality of life of Panamanian citizens.