مقاله انگلیسی رایگان در مورد پیشرفت در اپیدمیولوژی فضایی و سیستم های اطلاعات جغرافیایی (الزویر)

Defining spatial epidemiology

All students of epidemiology learn that descriptive epidemiology focuses on the triad of person, place and time [1]. While epidemiologic research focusing on place or location historically received considerably less attention, modern epidemiology increasingly incorporates the spatial perspective into research designs and models. Spatial factors have also become prominent features in etiologic research, especially concerning host-vector-agent interactions, but also in guiding social and environmental epidemiologic investigations. Spatial methods are also progressively incorporated into health services research focused on specific diseases, health conditions or risk factors.

The field of spatial epidemiology has evolved over the years. Elliot et al. [2] identified four types of spatial analyses in epidemiology: 1) disease mapping, 2) geographical correlation studies, 3) risk assessment in relation to point or line sources, and 4) cluster detection and disease clustering. Only a few years earlier, English [3] had defined geographical epidemiology as “the description of spatial patterns of disease incidence and mortality”. More recently, in a widely used spatial statistics text, Lawson [4] states that spatial epidemiology “concerns the analysis of the spatial/geographical distribution of the incidence of disease”. Here, we argue that spatial epidemiology encompasses research that incorporates the spatial perspective into the design and analysis of the distribution, determinants, and outcomes of all aspects of health and well-being across the continuum from prevention to treatment.