PEP 2003-009

CIO Name: NCCDPHP

Title: GIS Atlas for Comprehensive Cancer Control

Project Description:

The purpose of this project is to conduct research on whether Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and methods can be applied to help state-based Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) program decision-making, planning and evaluation. The ultimate goal is to develop a model GIS atlas that can be used by CCC programs (e.g., to identify gaps in health care access and delivery, to understand geographic variation in services, to set priorities, and to improve the healthcare for the under-served). For this specific project, funding constraints require that project efforts be focused on exploring and comparing spatial, temporal, and spatial-temporal patterns for only two types of cancer: colorectal cancer (CRC) and prostate cancer. The data included in the atlas will be limited to existing data available for both of these types of cancer and that would appear most useful in the CCC process. The long term goal would be to include selected information about: demographics, screening, incidence, mortality, survival, treatment, health care resources, and costs. Initial versions of the atlas will be designed to display maps, tables, graphs, and explanatory text. Over time, the atlas will be designed to include more advanced features (e.g., spatial statistics and simulation models). The atlas also will be designed so that it could be easily adapted to include other cancers (e.g., breast, cervical, skin, and ovarian cancer).

Project Activities

Project activities should include:

an evaluation of how GIS might be applied as part of state-based CCC decision-making, planning, and evaluation; and
research to develop a model GIS atlas that can be used by CCC programs.

Examples of research topics of interest include:

identification and comparison of CRC and prostate cancer spatial patterns, including details on different stages of disease, and using several different sources of data (e.g., mortality, incidence, survival, or treatment);
identification and comparison of spatial patterns for screening, health care services, and costs;
evaluating whether statistically significant spatial patterns remain after adjustment for selected social, economic, or demographic measures;
analysis of spatial-temporal patterns (i.e., whether spatial patterns are consistent and continuous over the study years); and
spatial statistical methods and models for integrating data from different sources to help CCC program decision-making, planning, and evaluation.

The minimum acceptable geographic unit of analysis is a single state. The first six (6) months of project activities should be reserved for activities that do not require data analysis, such as 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, and
a model GIS atlas for state-based CCC program efforts.

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 data that will 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