Focus on epidemiological aspects
This portion of the lecture motivates questions regarding disease cluster and surveillance approaches
In 1989 the `Cluster Busters' conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the first conference to address the issue of disease clustering, and brought together practitioners from around the nation. Out of this emerged a working group charged with formulating guidelines for disease surveillance and clustering. (reading 1)
What is a cluster?
Cluster Characteristics
Clusters arise for different reasons: perceived vs. true clusters What happens to cluster investigations? Only a fraction reveal a `true' cause.
Role of cluster investigations
The Texas sharpshooter problem
Motivation with an example. Use a Poisson spatial point distribution, view it, use a focused test to reveal a cluster -- this is not a true cluster, illustrates Texas sharpshooter.
Sobering thoughts for cluster busters
Page by Andy Long. Comments appreciated.
aelon@sph.umich.edu