Learning Objectives: Identify places in California with higher than expected rates of COPD and COPD related charges
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), socio-demographic variables and COPD related charges across zip codes while controlling for spatial confounding. METHOD: 1647 zip code areas in California were examined for rates of COPD taking into consideration population characteristics of persons living in those areas. Population characteristics were assessed using 2000 Census data. COPD rates were abstracted from hospital discharge data for the year 1999.
RESULTS: Significant spatial auto-correlation exists between zip codes for COPD and COPD related hospital charges. We found that percentage families in poverty, population in a zip code, percentage high school dropouts and COPD charges were positively related to prevalence of COPD and negatively related to percentage less than 18 years old, male-to-female ratio, percentage female heads of households with children, percentage foreign born and percentage households in poverty. Percentage female head of households, residential stability and percentage foreign born were positively related to COPD charges and negatively related to percentage foreign born, male-to-female ratio and female head of households with children..
CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that spatial autocorrelation is a factor when examining the relationship between socio-economic/ demographic measures, COPD and COPD related charges. This analysis allows for a more precise understanding of typical socio-demographic measures than is possible without taking into account spatial characteristics. “Hot spots” for rates of COPD and COPD related charges above and below expected will also be presented. Related maps will be presented.
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