A Prevention-Focused Geospatial Epidemiology Framework for Identifying Multilevel Vulnerability Across Diverse Settings
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer essential capabilities for identifying spatial concentrations of vulnerability and strengthening context-aware prevention strategies. This manuscript describes a geospatial architecture designed to generate anticipatory, place-based risk identification applicable across diverse community and institutional environments. Interpersonal Violence (IPV), one of several preventable harms that benefit from this spatially informed analysis, remains a critical public health challenge shaped by structural, ecological, and situational factors. <b>Methods</b>: The conceptual framework presented integrates de-identified surveillance data, ecological indicators, environmental and temporal dynamics into a unified spatial epidemiological model. Multilevel data layers are geocoded, spatially matched, and analyzed using clustering (e.g., Getis-Ord Gi*), spatial dependence metrics (e.g., Moran's I), and contextual modeling to support anticipatory identification of elevated vulnerability. <b>Framework Outputs</b>: The model is designed to identify spatial clustering, mobility-linked risk patterns, and emerging escalation zones using neighborhood disadvantage, built-environment factors, and situational markers. Outputs are intended to support both clinical decision-making (e.g., geocoded trauma screening, and context-aware discharge planning), and community-level prevention (e.g., targeted environmental interventions and cross-sector resource coordination). <b>Conclusions</b>: This framework synthesizes behavioral theory, spatial epidemiology, and prevention science into an integrative architecture for coordinated public health response. As a conceptual foundation for future empirical research, it advances the development of more dynamic, spatially informed, and equity-focused prevention systems.
Authors
- Cindy Ogolla Jean-Baptiste (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5527-7945)
Institutions
- Pioneer (United States) (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Healthcare
- Published
- 2026-01-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020261
- Primary Topic
- Data-Driven Disease Surveillance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00