A systematic review of 43 studies found that 93% of the included studies demonstrated an association between satellite-derived environmental data and noncommunicable disease outcomes.
Systematic Review (n=43)
Can satellite imagery-derived environmental data be successfully used to investigate and predict the risk, incidence, prevalence, or mortality of top noncommunicable diseases?
Satellite imagery is a viable and increasingly utilized tool for extracting environmental data (such as greenspace and air pollution) that significantly associates with the prevalence, incidence, and mortality of major noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease.
INTRODUCTION: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for 74% of deaths annually. Satellite imagery provides previously unattainable data about factors related to NCDs that overcome limitations of traditional, non-satellite-derived environmental data, such as subjectivity and requirements of a smaller geographic area of focus. This systematic literature review determined how satellite imagery has been used to address the top NCDs in the world, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed (including MEDLINE), CINAHL, Web of Science, Science Direct, Green FILE, and Engineering Village for articles published through June 6, 2023. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods peer-reviewed studies about satellite imagery in the context of the top NCDs (cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes) were included. Articles were assessed for quality using the criteria from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. RESULTS: A total of 43 studies were included, including 5 prospective comparative cohort trials, 22 retrospective cohort studies, and 16 cross-sectional studies. Country economies of the included studies were 72% high-income, 16% upper-middle-income, 9% lower-middle-income, and 0% low-income. One study was global. 93% of the studies found an association between the satellite data and NCD outcome(s). A variety of methods were used to extract satellite data, with the main methods being using publicly available algorithms (79.1%), preprocessing techniques (34.9%), external resource tools (30.2%) and publicly available models (13.9%). All four NCD types examined appeared in at least 20% of the studies. CONCLUSION: Researchers have demonstrated they can successfully use satellite imagery data to investigate the world's top NCDs. However, given the rapid increase in satellite technology and artificial intelligence, much of satellite imagery used to address NCDs remains largely untapped. In particular, with most existing studies focusing on high-income countries, future research should use satellite data, to overcome limitations of traditional data, from lower-income countries which have a greater burden of morbidity and mortality from NCDs. Furthermore, creating and refining effective methods to extract and process satellite data may facilitate satellite data's use among scientists studying NCDs worldwide.
Folkmann et al. (Thu,) conducted a systematic review in Noncommunicable diseases (n=43). Satellite imagery data was evaluated on Association between satellite data and NCD outcome(s). A systematic review of 43 studies found that 93% of the included studies demonstrated an association between satellite-derived environmental data and noncommunicable disease outcomes.