Title
Mapping Inequality: Geospatial mapping of otitis media and social determinants in remote Australian communities
Conference Name
37th World Congress of Audiology
Conference Start Date
2026-05-24
Conference End Date
2026-05-27
Conference Location
Seoul, South Korea
Author(s)
Dune, Tinashe
Thornton, Mich
de Lacy, Jack
Azam, Sami
Habib, Al-Rahim
Abstract
Background Otitis media (OM) is a critical public health concern in remote Northern Territory (NT) communities, particularly among Aboriginal children, where it contributes to hearing loss, developmental delays, and broader social challenges. While biological and environmental risk factors are well documented, there is limited insight into how social determinants—such as housing, education, and access to healthcare—affect OM prevalence. Methods A ten-year dataset (2014–2024) from NT Hearing Services was analysed using Power BI with ArcGIS to visualise OM clusters. • Phase 1: Community-level mapping with geocoordinates and linkage of OM subtypes and associated hearing loss. • Phase 2: Development of a 100-point index incorporating census-based social indicators, weighted for relevance to OM. • Phase 3: Application of AI tools and regression modelling to examine temporal patterns and quantify associations between social determinants and OM prevalence. Results Phase 1 has been completed, including geospatial mapping and data linkage of OM and hearing loss across communities. Phases 2 and 3 are ongoing, focusing on creating the social determinant index and selecting appropriate AI tools for modelling. Conclusion This study highlights the value of geospatial AI in identifying hidden patterns and supporting targeted, community-specific interventions. The interactive mapping interface will empower policymakers and community stakeholders to visualise data at the local level and prioritise responses based on key social risk factors. Final results aim to inform equitable, data-driven strategies to improve ear health outcomes for Aboriginal children in the NT.
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Name
Mapping inequality.pdf
Size
1.41 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):67954221600f098d643b82c6a7ac56d6
Date Issued
2026-05-25
Type
Conference poster
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