Agreement between a web collaborative dataset and an administrative dataset to assess the retail food environment in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Latin American countries are often limited in the availability of food outlet data. There is a need to use online search engines that allow the identification of food outlets and assess their agreement with field observations. We aimed to assess the agreement in the density of food outlets provided by a web collaborative data (Google) against the density obtained from an administrative registry. We also determined whether the agreement differed by type of food outlet and by area-level socioeconomic deprivation. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 1,693 census tracts from the municipalities of Hermosillo, Leon, Oaxaca de Juarez, and Tlalpan. The Google service was used to develop a tool for the automatic acquisition of food outlet data. To assess agreement, we compared food outlet densities obtained with Google against those registered in the National Statistical Directory of Economic Units (DENUE). Continuous densities were assessed using Bland-Altman plots and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), while agreement across tertiles of density was estimated using weighted kappa. RESULTS: The CCC indicated a strong correlation between Google and DENUE in the overall sample (0.75); by food outlet, most of the correlations were from negligible (0.08) to moderate (0.58). The CCC showed a weaker correlation as deprivation increased. Weighted kappa indicated substantial agreement between Google and DENUE across all census tracts (0.64). By type of food outlet, the weighted kappa showed substantial agreement for restaurants (0.69) and specialty food stores (0.68); the agreement was moderate for convenience stores/small food retail stores (0.49) and fair for candy/ice cream stores (0.30). Weighted kappa indicated substantial agreement in low-deprivation areas (0.63); in very high-deprivation areas, the agreement was moderate (0.42). CONCLUSIONS: Google could be useful in assessing fixed food outlet densities as a categorical indicator, especially for some establishments, like specialty food stores and restaurants. The data could also be informative of the availability of fixed food outlets, particularly in less deprived areas.

Climate change, thermal anomalies, and the recent progression of dengue in Brazil.

Dengue is rapidly expanding its transmission area across Brazil and much of South America. In this study, data-mining techniques were used to identify climatic and demographic indicators that could explain the recent (2014-2020) and simultaneous trends of expansion and exacerbation of the incidence in some regions of Brazil. The previous circulation of the virus (dengue incidence rates between 2007 and 2013), urbanization, and the occurrence of temperature anomalies for a prolonged period were the main factors that led to increased incidence of dengue in the central region of Brazil. Regions with high altitudes, which previously acted as a barrier for dengue transmission, became areas of high incidence rates. The algorithm that was developed during this study can be utilized to assess future climate scenarios and plan preventive actions.

Web Data Mining: Validity of Data from Google Earth for Food Retail Evaluation.

To overcome the challenge of obtaining accurate data on community food retail, we developed an innovative tool to automatically capture food retail data from Google Earth (GE). The proposed method is relevant to non-commercial use or scholarly purposes. We aimed to test the validity of web sources data for the assessment of community food retail environment by comparison to ground-truth observations (gold standard). A secondary aim was to test whether validity differs by type of food outlet and socioeconomic status (SES). The study area included a sample of 300 census tracts stratified by SES in two of the largest cities in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. The GE web service was used to develop a tool for automatic acquisition of food retail data through the generation of a regular grid of points. To test its validity, this data was compared with the ground-truth data. Compared to the 856 outlets identified in 285 census tracts by the ground-truth method, the GE interface identified 731 outlets. In both cities, the GE interface scored moderate to excellent compared to the ground-truth data across all of the validity measures: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy (ranging from 66.3 to 100%). The validity did not differ by SES strata. Supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants yielded better results than other store types. To our knowledge, this research is the first to investigate using GE as a tool to capture community food retail data. Our results suggest that the GE interface could be used to measure the community food environment. Validity was satisfactory for different SES areas and types of outlets.

Spatial spread of malaria and economic frontier expansion in the Brazilian Amazon.

The temporal and spatial evolution of malaria was described for the postfrontier phase of the Brazilian Amazon in 2003-2013. The current ecological study aimed to understand the relationship between spatial population mobility and the distribution of malaria cases. The study identified epidemiologically relevant areas using regional statistical modeling and spatial analyses that considered differential infections and types of work activities. Annual parasite incidence (API) in the region was highest in hotspots along the Amazon River and in the south and west settlement zone of Hiléia, with concentrations in environmental protection areas and açaí and Brazil nut extraction areas. The dispersal force decreased in the Central Amazon due to rapid urbanization and improved socioeconomic conditions for workers in consolidated settlement areas. The study characterized the spatial patterns of disease transmission according to the economic activity and regionalization of geographic areas, confirming that the incidence of infection by work activity and labor flow is linked to extractive activities and agricultural settlements.

Spatial-temporal diffusion of dengue in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2000-2013. / Difusão espaço-tempo do dengue no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, no período de 2000-2013.

The city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, shows high potential receptiveness to the introduction, dissemination, and persistence of dengue transmission. The pattern of territorial occupation in the municipality produced a heterogeneous and diverse mosaic, with differential vector distribution between and within neighborhoods, producing distinct epidemics on this scale of observation. The study seeks to identify these epidemics and the pattern of spatial and temporal diffusion of dengue transmission. A model was used for the identification of epidemics, considering the epidemic peak years and months, spatial distribution, and permanence of epidemics from January 2000 to December 2013. A total of 495 epidemic peaks were counted, and the time scale showed the highest occurrence in the months of March, April, and February, respectively. Some neighborhoods appear to present persistent dengue incidence, and the pattern of diffusion allows identifying key trajectories and timely months for intervention.

Difusão espaço-tempo do dengue no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, no período de 2000-2013 / Difusión espacio-tiempo del dengue en el municipio de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, durante el período de 2000-2013 / Spatial-temporal diffusion of dengue in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2000-2013

Resumo: A cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, apresenta elevado potencial de receptividade para a introdução, disseminação e persistência da transmissão de dengue. A ocupação do município conformou um mosaico heterogêneo e diversificado, com distribuição vetorial diferenciada entre e dentro dos bairros, proporcionando epidemias distintas nesta escala de observação. Este trabalho busca identificar essas epidemias e o padrão de difusão da transmissão do dengue sob a dimensão de tempo e espaço. Foi utilizado um modelo para a identificação de epidemias considerando os anos e meses de pico epidêmico, a distribuição espacial e a permanência das epidemias levando-se em conta o período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2013. Foram contabilizados 495 picos epidêmicos, e na escala de tempo evidenciou-se maior ocorrência nos meses de março, abril e fevereiro, respectivamente. Alguns bairros parecem apresentar um quadro persistente de incidência de dengue e o comportamento da difusão da doença permite identificar trajetórias e meses oportunos para a intervenção.

Resumen: La ciudad de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, presenta un elevado potencial de receptividad para la introducción, diseminación y persistencia de la transmisión de dengue. La ocupación del municipio conformó un mosaico heterogéneo y diversificado, con distribución vectorial diferenciada entre y dentro de los barrios, proporcionando epidemias distintas en esta escala de observación. Este trabajo busca identificar esas epidemias y el patrón de difusión de la transmisión del dengue, bajo la dimensión de tiempo y espacio. Se utilizó un modelo para la identificación de epidemias, considerando los años y meses de pico epidémico, la distribución espacial y la permanencia de las epidemias, teniéndose en cuenta el período de enero de 2000 a diciembre de 2013. Se contabilizaron 495 picos epidémicos, y en la escala de tiempo se evidenció una mayor ocurrencia durante los meses de marzo, abril y febrero, respectivamente. Algunos barrios parecen presentar un cuadro persistente de incidencia de dengue y el comportamiento de la difusión de la enfermedad permite identificar trayectorias y meses oportunos para la intervención.

Abstract: The city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, shows high potential receptiveness to the introduction, dissemination, and persistence of dengue transmission. The pattern of territorial occupation in the municipality produced a heterogeneous and diverse mosaic, with differential vector distribution between and within neighborhoods, producing distinct epidemics on this scale of observation. The study seeks to identify these epidemics and the pattern of spatial and temporal diffusion of dengue transmission. A model was used for the identification of epidemics, considering the epidemic peak years and months, spatial distribution, and permanence of epidemics from January 2000 to December 2013. A total of 495 epidemic peaks were counted, and the time scale showed the highest occurrence in the months of March, April, and February, respectively. Some neighborhoods appear to present persistent dengue incidence, and the pattern of diffusion allows identifying key trajectories and timely months for intervention.

An observatory to gather and disseminate information on the health-related effects of environmental and climate change.

This report sought to critically examine proposals, potentials, and challenges of environmental health observatories with an emphasis on climate change processes. A critical review of existing environmental health observatories was performed, examining their purposes, potential audiences, and technological platforms. The implementation of the Brazilian Climate and Health Observatory (C&HO) is described, and two stages are defined: (i) the requirement analysis and negotiation stage that identified the national and regional institutional players and their roles as data producers/users; and (ii) thematic health-related workshops that reviewed water-related diseases, vector-borne diseases, extreme climate events, and health problems derived from forest fires. The C&HO is an example of making information on climate and health available through an Internet site where data from different origins can be accessed on a common platform. Complex queries are made by users and can be executed over multiple sites, geographically distributed, with all technical details hidden from the end user. At this stage of the C&HO prototype, alongside the queries, users can also produce semi-qualitative graphs and maps. A multi-scale approach was developed using the platform by setting up sentinel sites. Building a successful observatory is a participatory process that involves choosing indicators, data sources, information technology, and languages to best reach different audiences, such as researchers, citizens, public health professionals, and decisionmakers.

An observatory to gather and disseminate information on the health-related effects of environmental and climate change / Un observatorio para recopilar y difundir información sobre los efectos del cambio ambiental y climático relacionados con la salud

This report sought to critically examine proposals, potentials, and challenges of environmental health observatories with an emphasis on climate change processes. A critical review of existing environmental health observatories was performed, examining their purposes, potential audiences, and technological platforms. The implementation of the Brazilian Climate and Health Observatory (C&HO) is described, and two stages are defined: (i) the requirement analysis and negotiation stage that identified the national and regional institutional players and their roles as data producers/users; and (ii) thematic health-related workshops that reviewed water-related diseases, vector-borne diseases, extreme climate events, and health problems derived from forest fires. The C&HO is an example of making information on climate and health available through an Internet site where data from different origins can be accessed on a common platform. Complex queries are made by users and can be executed over multiple sites, geographically distributed, with all technical details hidden from the end user. At this stage of the C&HO prototype, alongside the queries, users can also produce semi-qualitative graphs and maps. A multi-scale approach was developed using the platform by setting up sentinel sites. Building a successful observatory is a participatory process that involves choosing indicators, data sources, information technology, and languages to best reach different audiences, such as researchers, citizens, public health professionals, and decisionmakers.

Este informe tiene el propósito de examinar críticamente las propuestas, las posibilidades y los retos de los observatorios de salud ambiental con especial interés en los procesos del cambio climático. Se realizó un examen crítico de los observatorios de salud ambiental existentes, para lo cual se evaluó su finalidad, los posibles destinatarios y las plataformas tecnológicas. En este informe se describe la ejecución del Observatorio Nacional de Clima y Salud del Brasil dividida en dos fases: 1) la fase de análisis y negociación de los requisitos, cuyo fin fue definir las instituciones nacionales y regionales que tendrían a su cargo la producción y el aprovechamiento de los datos; y 2) los talleres celebrados sobre temas de salud acerca de las enfermedades relacionadas con el agua, las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores, los acontecimientos climáticos extremos y los problemas de salud derivados de los incendios forestales. El Observatorio es un ejemplo de plataforma de internet que ofrece información y datos sobre el clima y la salud provenientes de diferentes fuentes. Los usuarios pueden plantear consultas complejas en varios sitios, localizados en distintas zonas geográficas y todos los detalles técnicos se mantienen ocultos para el usuario. En esta fase de prototipo del Observatorio es posible generar gráficos y mapas semicualitativos junto a las consultas. Además, la plataforma permitió generar una estrategia de varias escalas a través del establecimiento de centros centinela. La creación de un observatorio eficaz es un proceso participativo que comprende la elección de los indicadores, las fuentes de los datos, la tecnología de la información y los idiomas que serán empleados con el propósito de llegar a diferentes públicos, como investigadores, ciudadanos, profesionales de la salud pública y encargados de adoptar las decisiones.

Cobertura de mamografias, alocação e uso de equipamentos nas Regiões de Saúde / Mammograms coverage, allocation and use of equipment in the Health Regions

RESUMO O rastreamento por intermédio da mamografia é o principal meio de detecção da neoplasia maligna da mama. Considera-se relevante compreender como este tem se dado nas Regiões de Saúde brasileiras, unidade espacial fundamental na atual política de saúde. A análise de indicadores relacionados à cobertura de mamografia das mulheres de 40 a 69 anos, número, distribuição e grau de utilização dos mamógrafos demonstra grandes problemas, que não podem ser simplesmente atribuídos à falta de equipamentos. Destaca-se também a diversidade de situações das Regiões de Saúde e das unidades da federação, caracterizada especialmente pelas melhores condições no Sul e Sudeste e piores nas outras regiões.

ABSTRACT Mammography screening is the most important means to detect breast cancer. It is relevant to understand how this screening has been performed in Brazilian Health Regions, which are the fundamental spatial unity in the current health policy. The analysis of indicators related to the coverage of women from 40 to 69 years of age, number, distribution and degree of usage of mammography equipment show great problems in covering the targeted population, which cannot be explained only by the lack of equipment. The diversity of situations of the Health Regions and federal units is highlighted, showing better conditions in the Southeast and South and worse in the other regions.

The expansion of the economic frontier and the diffusion of violence in the Amazon.

Over the last few decades, the occupation of the Amazon and the expansion of large-scale economic activities have exerted a significant negative impact on the Amazonian environment and on the health of the Amazon's inhabitants. These processes have altered the context of the manifestation of health problems in time and space and changed the characteristics of the spatial diffusion of health problems in the region. This study analyzed the relationships between the various economic processes of territorial occupation in the Amazon and the spatial diffusion of homicidal violence through the configuration of networks of production, as well as the movements of population and merchandise. Statistical data on violence, deforestation, the production of agricultural items, and socio-economic variables, georeferenced and available for the 771 municipalities of the Legal Amazon were used in this study. The results suggest that the diffusion of violence closely follows the economic expansion front, which is related to deforestation and livestock production but has little relation to grain production, demonstrating steps and typologies of recent occupation in the Amazon that promote violence. These spatial patterns reveal environmental and socio-economic macro-determinants that materialize in geographic space through the construction of highways and the formation of city networks.

[Organization, availability and possibility of analysis of disaster data of climate related origin and its impacts on health]. / Organização, disponibilização e possibilidades de análise de dados sobre desastres de origem climática e seus impactos sobre a saúde no Brasil.

The occurrence of disasters is often related to unforeseeable able natural processes. However, the analysis of major databases may highlight seasonal and long-term trends, as well as some spatial patterns where risks are concentrated. In this paper the process of acquiring and organizing climate-related disaster data collected by civil protection institutions and made available by the Brazilian Climate and Health Observatory is described. Preliminary analyses show the concentration of disasters caused by heavy rainfall events along the Brazilian coastline especially during the summer. Droughts have longer duration and extent, affecting large areas of the south and northeast regions of the country. These data can be used to analyze and monitor the impact of extreme climatic events on health, as well as identify the vulnerability and climate deteminants.

Organização, disponibilização e possibilidades de análise de dados sobre desastres de origem climática e seus impactos sobre a saúde no Brasil / Organization, availability and possibility of analysis of disaster data of climate related origin and its impacts on health

A ocorrência de desastres muitas vezes é associada a processos naturais imprevisíveis. No entanto, a análise de grandes bases de dados permite mostrar tendências sazonais e de longo prazo, bem como padrões e áreas onde se concentram riscos. Neste trabalho é descrito o processo de aquisição e organização de dados sobre desastres, coletados pelos órgãos de defesa civil, e disponibilizados pelo Observatório Nacional de Clima e Saúde. As análises preliminares mostram a concentração de eventos desastres causados por chuvas intensas ao longo da costa brasileira, principalmente durante o verão. As secas apresentam maior duração e extensão, atingindo grande parte do sul e nordeste do país. Estes dados podem ser usados para analisar e monitorar o impacto de eventos climáticos extremos sobre a saúde, bem como seus determinantes de vulnerabilidade e clima.

The occurrence of disasters is often related to unforeseeable able natural processes. However, the analysis of major databases may highlight seasonal and long-term trends, as well as some spatial patterns where risks are concentrated. In this paper the process of acquiring and organizing climate-related disaster data collected by civil protection institutions and made available by the Brazilian Climate and Health Observatory is described. Preliminary analyses show the concentration of disasters caused by heavy rainfall events along the Brazilian coastline especially during the summer. Droughts have longer duration and extent, affecting large areas of the south and northeast regions of the country. These data can be used to analyze and monitor the impact of extreme climatic events on health, as well as identify the vulnerability and climate deteminants.

Avaliação do dado sobre endereço no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação utilizando georreferenciamento em nível local de casos de tuberculose por dois métodos no município do Rio de Janeiro / Evaluation of data of address in SINAN using locally georeferencing of tuberculosis cases by two methods in Rio de Janeiro

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade dos dados referentes ao endereço dos casos notificados de tuberculose (TB) ao Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), de 2005 a 2008, no município do Rio de Janeiro. Criou-se um indicador a partir da razão entre a taxa de incidência da TB calculada a partir do bairro de moradia declarado pelo paciente e a taxa de incidência do bairro obtida após o georreferenciamento do endereço do mesmo indivíduo, com o intuito de medir possíveis impactos que inconsistências no endereço podem causar nos cálculos de indicadores da doença por bairro. Foram utilizadas duas técnicas de georreferenciamento de dados a partir do endereço de residência. Foi realizada uma correção no campo endereço que modificou 27% dos registros. Houve uma diferença no resultado do georreferenciamento entre os dois métodos de 64 e 69%. Com o processo manual, chegou-se a 89% de localização. A partir do indicador criado, nota-se que apenas 28% dos bairros apresentaram um valor entre 0,85 e 1,15, considerado como razoável. O processo de localização pode ser mais rápido e eficaz após maior conscientização e treinamento dos profissionais responsáveis e utilização de algum cadastro oficial de logradouros. As diferenças apresentadas no indicador I podem auxiliar na tomada de decisões mais acertadas. .

The study aimed to evaluate the quality of data refers to the address of the tuberculosis (TB) case notified to the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), from 2005 to 2008, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Was created an indicator from the ratio between the incidence rate of TB, calculated from the neighbourhood declared by the patient, and the incidence rate of the neighbourhood, obtained after georeferencing address the same subject, with a view to measure the possible impacts that inconsistencies in address may cause the calculation of health's indicators in the district level. Two techniques of georeferencing data were used from the home address. A correction in the address field which changed 27% of the records was performed. There was a difference in the outcome between the two methods georeferencing 64 and 69%. With the manual process was reached 89% location. From the indicator created, it is noted that only 28% of districts with a value between 0.85 and 1.15, considered as reasonable. The localization process can be faster and more efficient with greater awareness and training for professionals responsible and use of any official record of register streets. The differences in the indicator I can assist in decision making more correct decisions.