Visualization of the spatial scan statistic using nested circles

Health Place. 2003 Sep;9(3):273-7. doi: 10.1016/s1353-8292(02)00060-6.

Abstract

We propose a technique for the display of results of Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic and related cluster detection methods that provides a greater degree of informational content. By simultaneously considering likelihood ratio and relative risk, it is possible to identify focused sub-clusters of higher (or lower) relative risk among broader regional excesses or deficits. The result is a map with a nested or contoured appearance. Here the technique is applied to prostate cancer mortality data in counties within the contiguous United States during the period 1970-1994. The resulting map shows both broad and localized patterns of excess and deficit, which complements a choropleth map of the same data.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Risk
  • Statistics as Topic / methods*
  • United States / epidemiology