For the final project of this course, I proposed to conduct a geographic analysis to determine which areas in the city of Vancouver are at highest risk for a outbreak of measles, based on school immunization rates as well as demographic attributes. Each area of the city was assessed for schools with low measles immunization coverage, high population density, high proportion of public transit users, and a high proportion of population aged 0-14 years. These factors are all likely to affect the spread of a highly contagious infectious disease such as measles. As a math student, I wanted to utilize methods from the subject of graph theory to add to the analysis. Therefore, as this was a class in the geography department, I completed the project solo. The full report of the project, and accompanying maps, can be found here: MeaslesOutbreakRisk.
As this project combined data acquisition, geographic analysis, and the use of mathematical techniques, this was a unique opportunity to connect multiple areas of interest of mine. Since I am interested in public health and epidemiology, I was planning the project around a topic that would fit with this field. However, in the context of a student project with a relatively short time frame, obtaining certain types of health data was initially an obstacle to choosing certain topics. For example, I learned that projects involving prevalence and incidence rates were likely not feasible, especially at the census tract level of detail. Therefore, I learned how to adapt the focus of the project while keeping it within my field of interest.
Having completed this project solo, I learned that if I were to conduct a similar project in the future, I would benefit from advice from those in each of the fields of study I was using for the project. For example, particularly if in a graduate school context, I would have sought input from academics or professionals in epidemiology, geography, as well as mathematics for a project such as this one. I really enjoy the interdisciplinary aspects of this type of project, and I think a team with that make-up would be very beneficial.