Integrating spatial analysis with census data to unravel the complex interaction between socio-economic variables, the built environment and multiple housefires in a predominantly rural state

Gilsu Pae; Alba Paulsen; Siri Pothula; Colette Galet; Lucy Ann Wibbenmeyer

doi:10.1136/ip-2025-045691

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Integrating spatial analysis with census data to unravel the complex interaction between socio-economic variables, the built environment and multiple housefires in a predominantly rural state

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Integrating spatial analysis with census data to unravel the complex interaction between socio-economic variables, the built environment and multiple housefires in a predominantly rural state

Gilsu Pae, Alba Paulsen, Siri Pothula, Colette Galet and Lucy Ann Wibbenmeyer

Injury prevention, Vol.31(4), pp.327-332

08/2025

DOI: 10.1136/ip-2025-045691

PMCID: PMC12380116

PMID: 40550634

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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12380116/View

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Abstract

Introduction Housefires can cause devastating injuries, disproportionately affecting low socio-economic communities. Applying geographic information system and spatial analysis, we examined the association between housefires and socio-economic variables from the area deprivation index (ADI) and social vulnerability index. Methods Patients who sustained a burn injury from a housefire and were admitted to our burn unit between 2008 and 2023 were identified from our burn registry. Spatial binary logistic regression estimated the associations between social vulnerability factors and census tract housefires. Results Multiple social vulnerability factors were associated with housefires with the final model, including fourth quartile of ADI (OR=5.9), percentage of black residents (OR=4.9) and mobile home residences (OR=2.5) compared with the first quartiles (p<0.05). Conclusion Multiple housefires occurring in a census tract are associated with social vulnerabilities. Identifying census tracts with higher ADI, black resident ratios and mobile home ratios can help focus community interventions on high-risk areas. Further studies are needed to evaluate and refine the model and determine the current model’s predictive ability.

Epidemiology

Burn

Socioeconomic Status

Geographical / Spatial analysis

Poverty

Details

Title: Subtitle: Integrating spatial analysis with census data to unravel the complex interaction between socio-economic variables, the built environment and multiple housefires in a predominantly rural state
Creators: Gilsu Pae - University of Iowa
Alba Paulsen - University of Iowa Health Care
Siri Pothula - University of Illinois Chicago
Colette Galet - University of Iowa Health Care
Lucy Ann Wibbenmeyer - University of Iowa Health Care
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Injury prevention, Vol.31(4), pp.327-332
DOI: 10.1136/ip-2025-045691
PMID: 40550634
PMCID: PMC12380116
NLM abbreviation: Inj Prev
ISSN: 1353-8047
eISSN: 1475-5785
Publisher: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP
Grant note: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)National Center for Injury Prevention and Control's Injury Control Research Center: R49CE003095
Research reported in this publication was partially supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control's Injury Control Research Center Grant R49CE003095.
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 06/23/2025
Date published: 08/2025
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Surgery; Injury Prevention Research Center; University of Iowa Health Care
Record Identifier: 9984833632302771

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