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Uses of ecologic analysis in epidemiologic research

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  • Morgenstern, H.

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of ecologic analysis in epidemiologic research and health planning, little attention has been given by health scientists and practitioners to the methodological aspects of this approach. This paper reviews the major types of ecologic study designs, the analytic methods appropriate for each, the limitations of ecologic data for making causal inferences and what can be done to minimize these problems, and the relative advantages of ecologic analysis. Numerous examples are provided to illustrate the important principles and methods. A careful distinction is made between ecologic studies that generate or test etiologic hypotheses and those that evaluate the impact of intervention programs or policies (given adequate knowledge of disease etiology). Failure to recognize this difference in the conduct of ecologic studies can lead to results that are not very informative or that are misinterpreted by others.

Suggested Citation

  • Morgenstern, H., 1982. "Uses of ecologic analysis in epidemiologic research," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 72(12), pages 1336-1344.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1982:72:12:1336-1344_6
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    1. Oliveira, Monica Duarte & Bevan, Gwyn, 2003. "Measuring geographic inequities in the Portuguese health care system: an estimation of hospital care needs," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(3), pages 277-293, December.
    2. Louise Potvin & François Champagne, 1986. "Utilization of administrative files in health research," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 409-423, November.
    3. David A. Freedman & Stephen P. Klein & Jerome Sacks & Charles A. Smyth & Charles G. Everett, 1991. "Ecological Regression and Voting Rights," Evaluation Review, , vol. 15(6), pages 673-711, December.
    4. Hope Corman & Theodore Joyce & Michael Grossman, 1987. "A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Strategies to Reduce Infant Mortality," NBER Working Papers 2346, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Claire M Duflos & Kamila Solecki & Laurence Papinaud & Vera Georgescu & François Roubille & Gregoire Mercier, 2016. "The Intensity of Primary Care for Heart Failure Patients: A Determinant of Readmissions? The CarPaths Study: A French Region-Wide Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-13, October.
    6. Laurence T. Cagle, 1984. "Using Social Indicators To Assess Mental Health Needs," Evaluation Review, , vol. 8(3), pages 389-412, June.
    7. Gianluca Boo & Stefan Leyk & Christopher Brunsdon & Ramona Graf & Andreas Pospischil & Sara Irina Fabrikant, 2018. "The importance of regional models in assessing canine cancer incidences in Switzerland," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, April.
    8. Murodkhon Marufkhonovich Usmanov & Odgerel Chimed-Ochir & Bilegt Batkhorol & Yui Yumiya & Lola Mamazairovna Hujamberdieva & Tatsuhiko Kubo, 2022. "Obesity, Burden of Ischemic Heart Diseases and Their Ecological Association: The Case of Uzbekistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-12, August.
    9. Bernard L. Cohen, 1995. "How Dangerous Is Low Level Radiation?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(6), pages 645-652, December.
    10. Larizgoitia, Itziar & Starfield, Barbara, 1997. "Reform of primary health care: the case of Spain," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 121-137, August.
    11. Mamelund,S.-E., 2001. "The Spanish influenza among Norwegian ethnic minorities : 1918-1919," Memorandum 29/2001, Oslo University, Department of Economics.
    12. Blais, Lucie & Couture, Julie & Rahme, Elham & LeLorier, Jacques, 2003. "Impact of a cost sharing drug insurance plan on drug utilization among individuals receiving social assistance," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(2), pages 163-172, May.
    13. McGrath, Jennifer J. & Matthews, Karen A. & Brady, Sonya S., 2006. "Individual versus neighborhood socioeconomic status and race as predictors of adolescent ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(6), pages 1442-1453, September.
    14. Marizen Ramirez & Ronald Bedford & Ryan Sullivan & T. Renee Anthony & John Kraemer & Brett Faine & Corinne Peek-Asa, 2013. "Toxicology Testing in Fatally Injured Workers: A Review of Five Years of Iowa FACE Cases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
    15. Bryan Hong & Dylan Minor, 2015. "Choosing To Be "Good": How Managers Determine Their Impact on Financial and Social Performance," Harvard Business School Working Papers 16-011, Harvard Business School.
    16. Sieds, 2019. "Complete Volume LXXIII n. 3 2019," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 73(3), pages 1-150, July-Sept.

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