Geographical epidemiology, spatial analysis and geographical information systems: a multidisciplinary glossary

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Background:

• Spatial epidemiology investigates disease patterns influenced by geographic factors.
• Understanding the tools and statistical methods is crucial for accurate analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a non-technical glossary of terms and tools in spatial epidemiology.
• To describe statistical methods and techniques used in the field.

Main Methods:

• Explanation of key concepts in spatial epidemiology.
• Description of geographical information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS).
• Overview of statistical methods including adjustment, standardization, data smoothing, spatial autocorrelation, and spatial regression.

Main Results:

• A clear glossary of spatial epidemiology terms and tools.
• A comprehensive description of relevant statistical techniques.
• Discussion on disease clustering, mapping, and ecological analyses.

Conclusions:

• The study provides foundational knowledge for researchers entering spatial epidemiology.
• It highlights the importance of GIS and statistical methods for understanding health geographically.