Fig 1.
Annual Primary and Secondary Syphilis Rates from 1980–2022, data compiled from a variety of US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and NC Department of Human Health Services (NC DHHS) public databases [29–36].
Fig 2.
Geopolitical Census Block group aggregation vs standard grid with a moving window aggregation for incidence areas in Forsyth County, NC.
The CBG boundaries show the non-uniform distribution of geographical centroids whereas the uniform grid/moving window show an even distribution of centroids and incidence areas size to reducing the edge effect and MAUP. Census Block Group Boundaries are publically available by the US Census at: census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-seriesgeo/carto-boundaryfile.2000.html#list-tab-U2GTBOCTYRAP13D9AH.
Fig 3.
The percent change in MSE from CBG to uniform grid as a function of the population percentile.
Fig 4.
BME maps of the CBG & uniform grid methods in February-July, 2009 (the peak of the outbreak).
The boxes highlight the differences in the maps showing increased connectivity, hotspot locations moved, and a reduced background rate in the Moving Window, Uniform Grid Map. Census Block Group Boundaries are publically available by the US Census at: census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-seriesgeo/carto-boundaryfile.2000.html#list-tab-U2GTBOCTYRAP13D9AH.
Fig 5.
Spatial and Temporal Covariance Models.
Fig 6.
Uniform grid method time series of the Forysth County Outbreak (2008–2010).
Census Block Group Boundaries are publically available by the US Census at: census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-seriesgeo/carto-boundaryfile.2000.html#list-tab-U2GTBOCTYRAP13D9AH.