A Geospatial Linkage Analysis of Environmental Exposures, Socioeconomic Profile and Health Outcomes Among Women of Reproductive Age in Victoria, Australia
Geospatial linkage study reveals strong socioeconomic patterning of chronic diseases among reproductive-age women, highlighting persistent disparities despite low air pollution levels.
Key Points
To examine associations between area-level environmental exposures, socioeconomic status, and non-communicable disease rates among women of reproductive age.
Linked 2021 Australian Census sociodemographic and health metrics with postcode-level environmental data, including air pollutants, land surface temperature, and greenness.
Assessed spatial clustering using Moran's I and quantified socioeconomic disparities using the Wagstaff Concentration Index across five major non-communicable disease categories.
The most disadvantaged postcodes had a substantially higher composite non-communicable disease burden compared to the most advantaged postcodes (323.0 vs. 227.3 per 1000 women), with diabetes demonstrating the greatest inequality (Wagstaff index = −0.16).
Socioeconomic disadvantage coincided with elevated land surface temperatures in peri-urban areas, whereas inner-city postcodes showed lower chronic disease burdens despite higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter.