On the wrong side of the tracts? Evaluating the accuracy of geocoding in public health research.

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  • Author(s): Krieger N;Krieger N; Waterman P; Lemieux K; Zierler S; Hogan JW
  • Source:
    American journal of public health [Am J Public Health] 2001 Jul; Vol. 91 (7), pp. 1114-6.
  • Publication Type:
    Comparative Study; Evaluation Study; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: American Public Health Association Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 1254074 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0090-0036 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00900036 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am J Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Washington, DC : American Public Health Association
      Original Publication: New York [etc.]
    • Subject Terms:
      Censuses* ; Epidemiologic Methods* ; Maps as Topic* ; Population Surveillance*/methods ; Public Health*; Abstracting and Indexing/*standards ; Databases, Factual/*standards ; Residence Characteristics/*statistics & numerical data; Abstracting and Indexing/economics ; Bias ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Data Collection/economics ; Data Collection/standards ; Databases, Factual/economics ; Humans ; New England ; Time Factors
    • Abstract:
      Objectives: This study sought to determine the accuracy of geocoding for public health databases.
      Methods: A test file of 70 addresses, 50 of which involved errors, was generated, and the file was geocoded to the census tract and block group levels by 4 commercial geocoding firms. Also, the "real world" accuracy of the best-performing firm was evaluated.
      Results: Accuracy rates in regard to geocoding of the test file ranged from 44% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 32%, 56%) to 84% (95% CI = 73%, 92%). The geocoding firm identified as having the best accuracy rate correctly geocoded 96% of the addresses obtained from the public health databases.
      Conclusions: Public health studies involving geocoded databases should evaluate and report on methods used to verify accuracy.
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    • Grant Information:
      1 R01 HD36865-01 United States HD NICHD NIH HHS
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20010710 Date Completed: 20010726 Latest Revision: 20191210
    • Publication Date:
      20240104
    • Accession Number:
      PMC1446703
    • Accession Number:
      10.2105/ajph.91.7.1114
    • Accession Number:
      11441740