"Place" in Environmental Epidemiology: A Rectangular Coordinate Method

• Published in: Public health reports (1896) Vol. 83; no. 5; pp. 427 - 433
• Main Authors: Wright, H T, Marienfeld, C J, Silberg, S L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States United States Public Health Service 01.05.1968
• Subjects: Animals; Birth Certificates; Cartesian coordinates; Computers; Congenital Abnormalities - epidemiology; Congenital Abnormalities - veterinary; Coordinate systems; Environmental Health; Environmental surveillance; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maps as Topic; Missouri; Population Surveillance; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Public health; Records as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Swine; Swine Diseases; Topographical maps; Missouri
• ISSN: 0094-6214; 2327-6258
• DOI: 10.2307/4593314

A multispecies surveillance system for congenital abnormalities has been established by the environmental health center of the University of Missouri. This system is based on the use of topographic maps of Missouri, an x,y coordinate system, and a digital computer for rapid and periodic handling of data. The topographic maps are overlaid with a rectangular coordinate grid which permits the recording of any geographic point in Missouri to an accuracy of 100 meters. Data on congenital anomalies from birth certificates for human beings, from records provided by swine producers to the extension division, and from records on wild animals maintained by the State department of conservation are included in this system. The x,y coordinates of the location of each case are determined and recorded along with other parameters. This method permits the recording and selective retrieval of data without regard to manmade political or geographic boundaries. Thus, the factor of place is well defined over a large area for an extended period of time.