Geodemographic segmentation systems for screening health data.
OBJECTIVE
To describe how geodemographic segmentation systems might be useful as a quick and easy way of exploring postcoded health databases for potential interesting patterns related to deprivation and other socioeconomic characteristics.


METHODS
This is demonstrated using GB Profiles, a freely available geodemographic classification system developed at Leeds University. It is used here to screen a database of colorectal cancer registrations as a first step in the analysis of that data.


CONCLUSIONS
Conventional geodemographics is a fairly simple technology and a number of outstanding methodological problems are identified. A solution to some problems is illustrated by using neural net based classifiers and then by reference to a more sophisticated geodemographic approach via a data optimal segmentation technique.
Openshaw
S
S
School of Geography, Leeds University. stan@geog.leeds,ac.uk
Blake
M
M
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003710:Demography; D006801:Humans; D017062:Small-Area Analysis; D012984:Software