Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

Map Details - Heart Disease Deaths Kernel Density, Hennepin County, Minnesota

Return to Map Gallery

Impact Statement

Heart disease deaths are depicted in Hennepin County, Minnesota, for the years 2006-2010. The kernel density approach aggregates deaths into geographic clusters. In this instance, deaths occurring at addresses within 15 meters of each other were aggregated.

Heart Disease Deaths Kernel Density: Cities within Hennepin County, 2006-2010

Purpose/Findings

Kernel density mapping may enhance interpretation of the determinants of disease distribution in a given area. For example, in this map clustering of heart disease deaths is concordant with higher death rates depicted in a choropleth map (accompanying submission) in the cities of New Hope, Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park, and Spring Park. The clusters were almost entirely attributable to the presence of care facilities for the elderly in these municipalities. In contrast, kernel density “cold spots” like the City of Greenfield and Hassan Township in the far West of Hennepin County actually showed very high rates of heart disease deaths in the choropleth map because the few deaths occurring there did so against the backdrop of very low denominator populations. One could therefore argue – at least in this example – that the kernel density map was a better indicator of heart disease death activity than the more traditional choropleth map. The purpose of this map was to enhance interpretation of the determinants of heart disease death distribution in a given area.

Software Used

Arc GIS 10

Data Used

Minnesota Department of Health annual death files, 2006-2010; Hennepin County GIS boundary; 2010 US Census municipal boundaries.

Methods Used

The location of heart disease deaths was determined by geocoding address locations. The ArcGIS Kernel Density tool was used to calculate density of death addresses for Hennepin County. Output was a raster image with 150 meter cells displaying density using a neighborhood search radius of 1500 meters.

Contact the Submitter of this Map

Jack Brondum, Epidemiologist, Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD)
(612) 543-5219
Jack.Brondum@co.hennepin.mn.us

How to Cite this Map

Heart Disease Deaths Kernel Density: Cities within Hennepin County, 2006-2010 Jack Brondum, HSPHD; Jay Meehl, GIS Program Coordinator, HSPHD, [TODAY’S DATE].

Format:
TOP