BACKGROUND Spatial analyses and ecological studies are essential for epidemiology and public health. The present study combining these two methods was performed to identify spatial clusters of selected types of cancer in Japan and to determine their societal characteristics focusing on homogeneity among clusters. RESULTS Spatial clusters of high mortality rates of male colon and lung cancer a...

There is a growing consensus on the need to propose specific policies tackle ongoing population decline in extensive rural areas of Southern Europe. Developing target this issue requires assessment spatial, economic and structural conditions that explain why municipality experiences depopulation. This study explores drivers growth municipalities Mediterranean region officially known as Comunita...

This study analyzes homicide incidence per municipality (county) in Brazil in the year 2008. The authors estimate and compare homicide rates according to different methods, finding evidence that depending on the method employed, the results can differ significantly, especially for small municipalities. Bayesian spatial procedures were employed, allowing minimization of variation in the rate est...

South Africa is the world’s third most biodiverse country. The system of protected areas, however, does not capture its biodiversity comprehensively. Local land-use planning processes, and the integration of spatial conservation assessments in these processes, have been proposed as an effective approach to conserving biodiversity outside of protected areas. However, an understanding of the day-...

INTRODUCTION Since the end of 2014, Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been rapidly spreading in Brazil. METHODOLOGY To analyze the possible association of yellow fever vaccine with a protective effect against ZIKV-related microcephaly, the following spatial analyses were performed, using Brazilian municipalities as units: i) yellow fever vaccination coverage in Brazilian municipalities in indiv...