Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Analyse and Detect the Risk of Chronic Diseases in the Elderly.

The prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in older people has been concerning in several ways. This study investigated the risks of health behaviour of elderly by applying the Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyse the risk of NCDs for the elderly in Thailand. METHODS The survey investigated 1,006 elderly people in Chuen Chom District, Maha-Sarakham Province, Thailand. Kernel Density Estimation Surface was used for spatial analysis with 120 elderly by structured interviews concerning health behaviour to identify the risk of NCDs. RESULTS It was found that in Lhao Dok Mai many elderly people had NCDs. The behaviour of the elderly creating risks of NCDs was drinking alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise, consuming excessive food, and stress. CONCLUSION The risk areas for NCDs among the elderly were identified by GIS, therefore, local authorities should be supporting the elderly by using GIS to prevent any further severe cases of NCDs.