Data Science Approaches to Advance Equitable Healthy Cities Research
Hiroshi Mamiya, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Community Health and Epidemiology
University of Saskatchewan
WHERE: In-Person | 2001 McGill College, Rm 1201 | Zoom
Abstract
Health-related behaviours, such as dietary choices and physical activity, exhibit inequalities across neighbourhoods and social determinants of health. Large-scale measurements of these behavioural risk factors will provide the following novel research and surveillance capacities: 1) constructing geographically detailed maps of behavioural risk factors to uncover neighbourhood disparities of health; 2) examining the daily or hourly interaction of human behaviours and modifiable environmental factors (e.g., green space and bike infrastructure); and 3) investigating potential drivers of these behaviours, such as food marketing. In this talk, I will demonstrate the utilities of location-coded and high-frequency digital data provided by wearable devices and grocery scanners to achieve these capacities. Examples will be drawn from my research projects targeting four Canadian cities. I will also highlight the importance of epidemiologic and biostatistical principles in guiding data science approaches toward evidence-based healthy city initiatives.
Speaker Bio
Hiroshi is an epidemiologist whose goal is to develop urban environments that sustainably promote healthy lifestyles across neighbourhoods. His research converts large-scale digital data into longitudinal and geographic measures of human activities through statistical modelling and machine learning. He subsequently links these behavioural measures with environmental and health data through Geographic Information System and Global Positioning System, aiming to generate novel insights about the mechanisms in which health disparities arise across urban communities. His collaborators include transportation researchers, kinesiologists, computer scientists, health geographers, marketing and management scientists, and nutrition researchers.