AbstractGeographic CHD Differences: Individual and Area Based Risk FactorsTrack: Health and Human Services Author Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for 5,912 deaths and 24,615 hospitalizations annually. A New Zealand workforce study collected individual-level risk factor information including age, gender, ethnicity, medical history, blood serum values and socioeconomic status measures. Each place of residence was geocoded and linked to a census-based measure of deprivation (NZDEP). Identification of coronary heart disease deaths and hospital utilizations was based on ICD codes obtained from the national health record database. The analysis of CHD risk factors accounted for the various types and sources of data. GIS tools allowed the relationships between the meshblock deprivation measure and the individual-level risk factors to be identified. This resulted in data collected at various geographic units being appropriately integrated into the overall study analysis of CHD risk. Hope Buell University of Auckland PO Box 105-681 Auckland, Auckland Central 1143 New Zealand Phone: 847-751-0458 E-mail: hbue001@aucklanduni.ac.nz Daniel Exeter University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1142 New Zealand Phone: 93737599 E-mail: d.exeter@auckland.ac.nz Patricia Metcalf University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1142 New Zealand Phone: 93737599 E-mail: metcalf@stat.auckland.ac.nz |