Analysing spatially referenced public health data: a comparison of three methodological approaches

In the analysis of spatially referenced public health data, members of diff erent disciplinary groups (geographers, epidemiologists and statisticians) tend to select different methodological approaches, usually those with whic h they are already familiar. This paper compares three such approaches in t erms of their relative value and results. A single public health dataset, d erived from a community survey, is analysed by using 'traditional' epidemio logical methods, GIS and point pattern analysis. Since they adopt different 'models' for addressing the same research question, the three approaches p roduce some variation in the results for specific health-related variables. Taken overall, however, the results: complement, rather than contradict or duplicate each other. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.