TY - JOUR
T1 - Cancer registry policies in the United States and geographic information systems applications in comprehensive cancer control
AU - Ghetian, Christie B.
AU - Parrott, Roxanne
AU - Volkman, Julie E.
AU - Lengerich, Eugene J.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by a Cooperative Agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), award number MM-0718. Its contents are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the CDC or AAMC.
PY - 2008/8
Y1 - 2008/8
N2 - Objectives: Through a long history of cancer policies, public health has a foundation for cancer research and data to use in applying technological advancements for U.S. cancer control efforts. Geographic information systems (GIS) are one technology enabling the visualization of cancer risk patterns associated with incidence, mortality, and accessibility to care. Methods: U.S. Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) program directors were interviewed from 49 of 50 states to assess use and function of GIS tools for mapping data related to cancer control policies and practices. Interviews were coded to obtain frequencies of response associated with content domains mapped using GIS tools and the perceived relative advantages. Results: Significant relationships were found between the mapping of behavioral risk factors, health care services, transportation access, and policy advantages identified by program managers. The mapping of cancer incidence, mortality, and staging, transportation access, and multiple layers of content were found to have significant associations with perceived research advantages. Conclusions: U.S. CCC program managers recognize several important advantages relating to health policy and research for use of GIS tools in cancer control efforts. The application of GIS in U.S. cancer control efforts is employed unevenly, suggesting the need for innovative policies to support accessibility.
AB - Objectives: Through a long history of cancer policies, public health has a foundation for cancer research and data to use in applying technological advancements for U.S. cancer control efforts. Geographic information systems (GIS) are one technology enabling the visualization of cancer risk patterns associated with incidence, mortality, and accessibility to care. Methods: U.S. Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) program directors were interviewed from 49 of 50 states to assess use and function of GIS tools for mapping data related to cancer control policies and practices. Interviews were coded to obtain frequencies of response associated with content domains mapped using GIS tools and the perceived relative advantages. Results: Significant relationships were found between the mapping of behavioral risk factors, health care services, transportation access, and policy advantages identified by program managers. The mapping of cancer incidence, mortality, and staging, transportation access, and multiple layers of content were found to have significant associations with perceived research advantages. Conclusions: U.S. CCC program managers recognize several important advantages relating to health policy and research for use of GIS tools in cancer control efforts. The application of GIS in U.S. cancer control efforts is employed unevenly, suggesting the need for innovative policies to support accessibility.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.healthpol.2007.12.007
DO - 10.1016/j.healthpol.2007.12.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 18243396
AN - SCOPUS:45549090644
SN - 0168-8510
VL - 87
SP - 185
EP - 193
JO - Health Policy
JF - Health Policy
IS - 2
ER -