Spatial Clustering of Cardiac Deaths Before Transport
Author Information
Author(s): Elizabeth Barnett Pathak, Steven Reader, Jean Paul Tanner, Michele L. Casper
Primary Institution: University of South Florida
Hypothesis
Clusters of non-transported heart disease decedents would be found in residential areas with relatively fewer socioeconomic resources and further distances to an acute-care hospital than clusters of transported deaths.
Conclusion
The study found that unfavorable household and neighborhood resources played a larger role than distance to hospital in the transport status of cardiac patients.
Supporting Evidence
- The majority of heart disease decedents were married (53.4%), male (66.4%), and white (85.6%).
- 21 geographic clusters of non-transported heart disease decedents were observed.
- Clusters of non-transported decedents were slightly closer to hospitals than clusters of transported decedents.
Takeaway
This study looked at where people died from heart disease at home and found that those areas often had fewer resources, even if they were close to hospitals.
Methodology
The study used point-pattern spatial analysis and kernel density analysis to identify clusters of cardiac decedents and analyzed socioeconomic characteristics using census data.
Potential Biases
Possible geographic bias from a small subset of deaths that could not be geocoded.
Limitations
Potential misclassification of cause of death and geographic bias due to geocoding failures.
Participant Demographics
Adults aged 25-74 years, predominantly married (53.4%), male (66.4%), and white (85.6%).
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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