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Spatial Analytics Based on Confidential Data for Strategic Planning in Urban Health Departments. URBAN SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/urbansci3030075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Spatial data analytics can detect patterns of clustering of events in small geographies across an urban region. This study presents and demonstrates a robust research design to study the longitudinal stability of spatial clustering with small case numbers per census tract and assess the clustering changes over time across the urban environment to better inform public health policy making at the community level. We argue this analysis enables the greater efficiency of public health departments, while leveraging existing data and preserving citizen personal privacy. Analysis at the census tract level is conducted in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, on hypertension during pregnancy compiled from 2011–2014 birth certificates. Data were derived from per year and per multi-year moving counts by aggregating spatially to census tracts and then assessed for clustering using global Moran’s I. With evidence of clustering, local indicators of spatial association are calculated to pinpoint hot spots, while time series data identified hot spot changes. Knowledge regarding the geographical distribution of diseases is essential in public health to define strategies that improve the health of populations and quality of life. Our findings support that spatial aggregation at the census tract level contributes to identifying the location of at-risk “hot spot” communities to refine health programs, while temporal windowing reduces random noise effects on spatial clustering patterns. With tight state budgets limiting health departments’ funds, using geographic analytics provides for a targeted and efficient approach to health resource planning.
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Hajat S, Whitmore C, Sarran C, Haines A, Golding B, Gordon-Brown H, Kessel A, Fleming LE. Development of a browser application to foster research on linking climate and health datasets: Challenges and opportunities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 575:79-86. [PMID: 27741457 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improved data linkages between diverse environment and health datasets have the potential to provide new insights into the health impacts of environmental exposures, including complex climate change processes. Initiatives that link and explore big data in the environment and health arenas are now being established. OBJECTIVES To encourage advances in this nascent field, this article documents the development of a web browser application to facilitate such future research, the challenges encountered to date, and how they were addressed. METHODS A 'storyboard approach' was used to aid the initial design and development of the application. The application followed a 3-tier architecture: a spatial database server for storing and querying data, server-side code for processing and running models, and client-side browser code for user interaction and for displaying data and results. The browser was validated by reproducing previously published results from a regression analysis of time-series datasets of daily mortality, air pollution and temperature in London. RESULTS Data visualisation and analysis options of the application are presented. The main factors that shaped the development of the browser were: accessibility, open-source software, flexibility, efficiency, user-friendliness, licensing restrictions and data confidentiality, visualisation limitations, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. CONCLUSIONS Creating dedicated data and analysis resources, such as the one described here, will become an increasingly vital step in improving understanding of the complex interconnections between the environment and human health and wellbeing, whilst still ensuring appropriate confidentiality safeguards. The issues raised in this paper can inform the future development of similar tools by other researchers working in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakoor Hajat
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Ceri Whitmore
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
| | | | - Andy Haines
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Harriet Gordon-Brown
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
| | | | - Lora E Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
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Frazzoli C, Bocca B, Mantovani A. The One Health Perspective in Trace Elements Biomonitoring. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2015; 18:344-370. [PMID: 26691900 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2015.1085473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Health risks in both animals and humans are associated with chronic exposures to levels of trace elements (TE) eliciting toxic and/or antinutritional effects, including excess exposures to some essential elements. Interferences with essential TE may also lead to secondary nutritional deficiencies and/or imbalances. Although research is still required, biomarkers of exposure, including bioavailability, for TE are established tools for human biomonitoring that can also be applied to animal surveillance. Biomarkers of effect as well as, where available, of susceptibility and bioavailability are necessary to understand whether an ongoing exposure may pose a current or future health concern. In the field of animal health the use of biomarkers is less developed and less widespread than in human health; however, under a One Health perspective, animal biomonitoring can provide important information on the interfaces among humans, animals, and the environment, supporting the prevention and management of health risks. Therefore, a transfer of knowledge from human biomonitoring to farm or free-ranging animals is critical in a risk assessment framework from farm to humans. Advantages and critical aspects in designing and conducting integrative biomonitoring activities in humans and animals were critically reviewed focusing on biomarkers of exposure, effect, susceptibility, and bioavailability for toxic and essential TE. Highlighted aspects include TE metabolism, bioaccessibility, and interactions. Farm or free-ranging animals may provide noninvasive matrices suitable for evaluating animal welfare, environmental stressors, food safety, and potential risks for human health, as proposed by the interdisciplinary concept of One Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Frazzoli
- a External Relations Office , Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Beatrice Bocca
- b Bioelements and Health Unit, Department of Environment and Primary Prevention , Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- c Food and Veterinary Toxicology Unit, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety , Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
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Giubilato E, Zabeo A, Critto A, Giove S, Bierkens J, Den Hond E, Marcomini A. A risk-based methodology for ranking environmental chemical stressors at the regional scale. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 65:41-53. [PMID: 24440801 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A "Risk-based Tool for the Regional Ranking of Environmental Chemical Stressors" has been developed, aimed at supporting decision-makers in the identification of priority environmental contaminants, as well as priority areas, to be further assessed. The tool implements a methodology based on a quantitative Weight-of-Evidence approach, integrating three types of information, identified as "Lines-of-Evidence" (LoE), namely: LoE "Environmental Contamination" (including data on chemical contamination in environmental matrices in the region, thus providing information on potential population exposure), LoE "Intake" (including results from human biomonitoring studies, i.e. concentration of chemicals in human biological matrices, thus providing an integrated estimation of exposure) and LoE "Observed Effects" (including information on the incidence of adverse health outcomes associated with environmental exposure to chemicals). A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology based on fuzzy logic has been developed to support the integration of information related to these three LoEs for each chemical stressor. The tool allows one to rank chemical stressors at different spatial scales, such as at the regional level as well as within each sub-area (e.g., counties). Moreover, it supports the identification of priority sub-areas within the region, where environmental and health data suggest possible adverse health effects and thus more investigation efforts are needed. To evaluate the performance of this newly developed tool, a case-study in the Flemish region (north of Belgium) has been selected. In the case-study, data on soil contamination by metals and organic contaminants were integrated with data on exposure and effect biomarkers measured in adolescents within the framework of the human biomonitoring study performed by the Flemish Centre of Expertise on Environment and Health in the period 2002-2006. The case-study demonstrated the performance of the tool in integrating qualitative and quantitative data with expert judgement for the identification of priority contaminants and areas. The proposed approach proved to be flexible, allowing for the incorporation of individual decision-maker's preferences, and, at the same time, to be transparent since all assumptions and value attributions are traceable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Giubilato
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Calle Larga S. Marta 2137, I-30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Alex Zabeo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Calle Larga S. Marta 2137, I-30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Andrea Critto
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Calle Larga S. Marta 2137, I-30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Silvio Giove
- Department of Economics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Cannaregio 873, I-30121 Venice, Italy
| | - Johan Bierkens
- Environmental Risk and Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Environmental Risk and Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Antonio Marcomini
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Calle Larga S. Marta 2137, I-30123 Venice, Italy.
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Lee J, Pedersen AB, Thomsen M. Framework for combining REACH and national regulations to obtain equal protection levels of human health and the environment in different countries - comparative study of Denmark and Korea. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2013; 125:105-116. [PMID: 23651917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for a systems approach to protect the environment and human health by taking into account differences in the cumulative risks of total human exposure in a territorial context. To this end the measures that are available and that can be included in REACH exposure scenarios in order to obtain territorially relevant chemical safety assessments (CSAs) were explored. The advantage of linking the REACH exposure scenarios with background environmental quality data reported under other national regulations is discussed. The main question is how REACH may be improved to protect the environment and human health inside and outside the EU. This question is exemplified in a comparative case study of two countries, Denmark and Korea, each with its own set of different environmental qualities and national regulations. As a member of the EU Denmark is obliged to adopt REACH, while Korea implemented REACH to improve the competitiveness of Korean industry within the EU market. It is presented how differences in national regulations and environmental qualities in these two countries affect background human exposure concentrations. Choosing lead as a model compound, the territorial differences in background exposure to endocrine and neurological interfering stressors were modelled. It is concluded that the different territorial soil and air lead pollution levels contribute differently to the total childhood lead exposure in the two countries. As such, the probability of the total exposure from air and soil exceeding 10% of the provisional Total Daily Intake (PTDI) is estimated to be 55.3% in Denmark and 8.2% in Korea. The relative contribution from air inhalation and soil ingestion to childhood lead exposure is estimated to be 1-99% in Denmark while it is 83-17% in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Lee
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Liu HY, Bartonova A, Pascal M, Smolders R, Skjetne E, Dusinska M. Approaches to integrated monitoring for environmental health impact assessment. Environ Health 2012; 11:88. [PMID: 23171406 PMCID: PMC3526392 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-11-88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Although Integrated Environmental Health Monitoring (IEHM) is considered an essential tool to better understand complex environmental health issues, there is no consensus on how to develop such a programme. We reviewed four existing frameworks and eight monitoring programmes in the area of environmental health. We identified the DPSEEA (Driving Force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action) framework as most suitable for developing an IEHM programme for environmental health impact assessment. Our review showed that most of the existing monitoring programmes have been designed for specific purposes, resulting in narrow scope and limited number of parameters. This therefore limits their relevance for studying complex environmental health topics. Other challenges include limited spatial and temporal data availability, limited development of data sharing mechanisms, heterogeneous data quality, a lack of adequate methodologies to link disparate data sources, and low level of interdisciplinary cooperation. To overcome some of these challenges, we propose a DPSEEA-based conceptual framework for an IEHM programme that would enable monitoring and measuring the impact of environmental changes on human health. We define IEHM as 'a systemic process to measure, analyse and interpret the state and changes of natural-eco-anthropogenic systems and its related health impact over time at the same location with causative explanations across the various compartments of the cause-effect chain'. We develop a structural work process to integrate information that is based on existing environmental health monitoring programmes. Such a framework allows the development of combined monitoring systems that exhibit a large degree of compatibility between countries and regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Ying Liu
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Instituttveien 18, 2027, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Alena Bartonova
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Instituttveien 18, 2027, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Mathilde Pascal
- InVS - French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, 12, rue du Val d’Osne, 94415, Saint-Maurice cedex, France
| | - Roel Smolders
- VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Erik Skjetne
- Statoil - Statoil Research Center, Arkitekt Ebbells Veg 10, Rotvoll, 7005, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Maria Dusinska
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Instituttveien 18, 2027, Kjeller, Norway
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Spurgeon DJ, Lawlor A, Hooper HL, Wadsworth R, Svendsen C, Thomas LDK, Ellis JK, Bundy JG, Keun HC, Jarup L. Outdoor and indoor cadmium distributions near an abandoned smelting works and their relations to human exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2011; 159:3425-3432. [PMID: 21908085 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2011] [Revised: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The relationship of measured or modelled Cd concentrations in soil, house dust and available to plants with human urinary Cd concentrations were assessed in a population living around a Cd/Pb/Zn smelter in the UK. Modelled air concentrations explained 35% of soil Cd variation indicating the smelter contributed to soil Cd loads. Multi-variate analysis confirmed a significant role of biological and life-style factors in determining urinary Cd levels. Significant correlations of urinary Cd with soil, house dust and modelled plant available Cd concentrations were not, however, found. Potential reasons for the absence of clear relationships include limited environmental contact in urban populations; the role of undefined factors in determining exposure; and the limited spatial scope of the survey which did not sample from the full pollution gradient. Further, the absence of any significant relationship indicates that environmental measures provide limited advantage over atmospheric model outputs for first stage human exposure assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Spurgeon
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8BB, UK.
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Boulos MNK, Curtis AJ, AbdelMalik P. Musings on privacy issues in health research involving disaggregate geographic data about individuals. Int J Health Geogr 2009; 8:46. [PMID: 19619311 PMCID: PMC2716332 DOI: 10.1186/1476-072x-8-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2009] [Accepted: 07/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper offers a state-of-the-art overview of the intertwined privacy, confidentiality, and security issues that are commonly encountered in health research involving disaggregate geographic data about individuals. Key definitions are provided, along with some examples of actual and potential security and confidentiality breaches and related incidents that captured mainstream media and public interest in recent months and years. The paper then goes on to present a brief survey of the research literature on location privacy/confidentiality concerns and on privacy-preserving solutions in conventional health research and beyond, touching on the emerging privacy issues associated with online consumer geoinformatics and location-based services. The 'missing ring' (in many treatments of the topic) of data security is also discussed. Personal information and privacy legislations in two countries, Canada and the UK, are covered, as well as some examples of recent research projects and events about the subject. Select highlights from a June 2009 URISA (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association) workshop entitled 'Protecting Privacy and Confidentiality of Geographic Data in Health Research' are then presented. The paper concludes by briefly charting the complexity of the domain and the many challenges associated with it, and proposing a novel, 'one stop shop' case-based reasoning framework to streamline the provision of clear and individualised guidance for the design and approval of new research projects (involving geographical identifiers about individuals), including crisp recommendations on which specific privacy-preserving solutions and approaches would be suitable in each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maged N Kamel Boulos
- Faculty of Health and Social Work, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Andrew J Curtis
- GIS Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Southern California, Kaprielian Hall (KAP), Room 416, 3620 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0255, USA
| | - Philip AbdelMalik
- Faculty of Health and Social Work, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
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