Mapping Cancer for Community Engagement
Author Information
Author(s): Kirsten M. M. Beyer, Gerard Rushton
Primary Institution: University of Iowa
Hypothesis
Can community participation and geographic information systems reduce health disparities in cancer rates?
Conclusion
Maps that accurately represent and contextualize cancer rates can engage communities in addressing cancer disparities.
Supporting Evidence
- The maps are available to the public and have been used in community engagement events.
- Community partners have positively received the maps and are using them for targeted cancer screening efforts.
- The study highlights the importance of local context in understanding cancer rates.
Takeaway
This study created maps to show cancer rates in Iowa, helping local communities understand and address cancer issues better.
Methodology
The study used adaptive spatial filtering to create maps of colorectal cancer incidence and late-stage diagnosis based on cancer registry data.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to varying sizes of areas used for rate calculations.
Limitations
The maps may mask variation within areas and the spatial resolution is inconsistent across the map.
Participant Demographics
The study included cancer cases from various demographics in Iowa, with a focus on areas with high minority populations.
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website