The main goal of this research project is to identify any relationships between three common chronic conditions: heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. These will be analyzed based on rates and prevalence. Potential factors that contribute to these conditions, including race and socioeconomic factors, will be analyzed to determine relationships to identify the counties in the most need of intervention(s). GIS will be the most efficient way to potentially identify spatial relationships and share them with others in the healthcare field to better serve the community.
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GOAL 1: To identify spatial patterns for counties with the highest prevalence of certain chronic conditions
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Objective 1: Use spatial analysis to determine the presence of “hotspots” for chronic conditions
Objective 2: Identify counties at risk for high rates of multiple chronic conditions
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GOAL 2: To determine what social, economic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are correlated with higher prevalence of specific chronic conditions
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Objective 1: Use spatial analysis to visualize correlations of possible contributing factors
Objective 2: Identify any relationship between possible contributing factors and counties identified as having
above or below the average prevalence of chronic conditions