Spatial and Temporal Associations of Climate and Public Health Indicators in Georgia
Disciplines
Climate | Environmental Public Health | Geographic Information Sciences | Geography | Public Health
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The impact of climate change on public health is an emerging issue but is not well understood. To better understand this issue, the associations of climate and public health indicators for different regions must been examined. The overall objective of this study is to analyze the spatial and temporal associations of climate and public health indicators over the past 30 years in Georgia using GIS (Geographic Information System) and statistical analyses. Public health indicators included in the study are county-level mortality rates, emergency room visits, fetal deaths, and asthma. Climate indicators are average high temperature, average low temperature, number of hot days per year (90 degrees F+), and the presence of the urban heat island effect. GIS is used to map and compare the spatial patterns in climate and public health indicators. Statistical analyses, especially correlation analysis, are used to quantify and compare the associations of the climate indicators with public health indicators. This study is expected to reveal the spatial and temporal patterns in public health indicators and their associations with climate indicators in Georgia. It will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of climate change on public health from a regional perspective.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Geography & Anthropology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Jun Tu
Spatial and Temporal Associations of Climate and Public Health Indicators in Georgia
The impact of climate change on public health is an emerging issue but is not well understood. To better understand this issue, the associations of climate and public health indicators for different regions must been examined. The overall objective of this study is to analyze the spatial and temporal associations of climate and public health indicators over the past 30 years in Georgia using GIS (Geographic Information System) and statistical analyses. Public health indicators included in the study are county-level mortality rates, emergency room visits, fetal deaths, and asthma. Climate indicators are average high temperature, average low temperature, number of hot days per year (90 degrees F+), and the presence of the urban heat island effect. GIS is used to map and compare the spatial patterns in climate and public health indicators. Statistical analyses, especially correlation analysis, are used to quantify and compare the associations of the climate indicators with public health indicators. This study is expected to reveal the spatial and temporal patterns in public health indicators and their associations with climate indicators in Georgia. It will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of climate change on public health from a regional perspective.