How does the demographic region create an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease in my community?

 

This essential question (EQ) lead me to complete a full human geographical investigation between the correlation of cardiovascular disease and social and physical environmental determinants. The primary database that was used in this investigation was found on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website (http://nccd.cdc.gov/DHDSPAtlas/viewer.aspx?state=GA). As the EQ was specific to my community, I looked at data from across the state of Georgia. The primary data was that of the numbers of deaths in Georgia, per county, due to heart disease. These data points were then crossed with a few chosen determinants of health: poverty, education less than high school, and the availability of convenience stores. By looking at these determinants and the mortality rate, one can visually see the correlations in the region of the two. Where poverty, low education, and high availability of convenience stores was high, mortality rates were also high. There is here, a correlational, but not causational, relationship between these three determinants and the death rate. This investigation leads into larger questions such as looking at correlational data for the entire country. Also, would it be beneficial to further study correlation in all diseases to see where is a safer, healthier place to live? To answer the EQ, the demographic region creates the social and physical environment, both of which show correlation to death by heart disease. The three determinants I studied showed that higher values of the factors lead to higher mortality rates.