312420
“Spatial analysis of chronic disease outcomes in Panama City, Panama “
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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.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionEpidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Describe the nutrition transition's impact on chronic disease in Panama City, Panama utilizing spatial techniques.
Keyword(s): Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Urban Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a recent MPH graduate who has been working with the USF Health International Foundation for the last year working on secondary data analysis of existing institutionally collected data. I have worked on the present analysis and have the support of the University of South Florida and mentors with extensive experience in numerous international, federally and industry funded projects.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.