Developing the atlas of cancer in Queensland: methodological issues.
BACKGROUND
Achieving health equity has been identified as a major challenge, both internationally and within Australia. Inequalities in cancer outcomes are well documented, and must be quantified before they can be addressed. One method of portraying geographical variation in data uses maps. Recently we have produced thematic maps showing the geographical variation in cancer incidence and survival across Queensland, Australia. This article documents the decisions and rationale used in producing these maps, with the aim to assist others in producing chronic disease atlases.


METHODS
Bayesian hierarchical models were used to produce the estimates. Justification for the cancers chosen, geographical areas used, modelling method, outcome measures mapped, production of the adjacency matrix, assessment of convergence, sensitivity analyses performed and determination of significant geographical variation is provided.


CONCLUSIONS
Although careful consideration of many issues is required, chronic disease atlases are a useful tool for assessing and quantifying geographical inequalities. In addition they help focus research efforts to investigate why the observed inequalities exist, which in turn inform advocacy, policy, support and education programs designed to reduce these inequalities.
Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control, Cancer Council Queensland, Gregory Tce, Fortitude Valley, Australia. susannacramb@cancerqld.org.au
Susanna M
SM
Cramb
Kerrie L
KL
Mengersen
Peter D
PD
Baade
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D016019:Survival Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
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