PEP 2003-008

CIO Name: NCCDPHP

Title: Prostate Cancer Geocoding

Project Description:

The purpose of this project is to conduct collaborative research to systematically evaluate and compare the strengths and weaknesses of methods for geocoding prostate cancer cases. Geocoding is an important, basic building block for accurate maps and spatial statistical analyses for use in state-based Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) program decision-making, planning, and evaluation. Although field-testing in this specific project will focus on prostate cancer, the results will be useful for many other types of cancer. Efforts to improve geocoding are consistent with Healthy People 2010 Objective 23-3 ("increase the proportion of all major national, State, and local health data systems that use geocoding to promote nationwide use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at all levels").

Project Activities

Project activities should include:

convening a meeting of experts to identify key prostate cancer geocoding methodological issues; and
research and/or field-testing to compare and evaluate different geocoding methods.

The meeting of experts should include representatives from state-based CCC programs as well as academic researchers. Several examples of topics for the meeting agenda might include:

identification of outstanding questions regarding prostate cancer geocoding methods;
discussion about limitations of existing methods; and
brainstorming about possible new methods.

Project research and/or field-testing activities should be designed to systematically compare and evaluate key questions about geocoding prostate cancer cases. Several examples of potential topics of interest might include:

What is the level of geographic precision that is needed for purposes of CCC decision-making, program planning, and evaluation?
Can procedures be recommended for local health care providers and screening facilities that might facilitate subsequent geocoding by state-level programs?
Can public domain, low cost, public health informatics methods be developed that would facilitate geocoding at the state level?
What methods should be used for preliminary address cleaning and standardization?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of various software algorithms and street reference files available for geocoding?
What solutions can be recommended for missing or problem addresses (e.g., PO Box or Rural Routes); and
What impact do different geocoding methods have on subsequent spatial statistical analyses (e.g., evaluation of prostate cancer spatial patterns)?

The first 6 (six) months of project activities should be reserved for activities that do not require data analysis, such as convening the meeting of experts, developing a protocol meeting CDC Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, and obtaining any necessary local or CDC IRB approvals. Project activities should include developing at least three articles suitable for publication in a scientific journal.

Preference will be given to proposals that include documentation of:

active participation in the project by a state-based comprehensive cancer control program; and
ability to successfully obtain and protect the confidentiality of the prostate cancer data to be included in the study.

Total Years of Project Length: Three (3) years

Total funding (direct and indirect) availability by project year: $250,000 per year

Is this PEP Non-research or Research: Research