ABSTRACT
Spatial modeling comprises a set of methods and approaches for measuring, analyzing and visualizing geographical relationships among people and the contexts in which they live, work and interact. For centuries, these methods have been central to health geographers’ efforts to understand and improve population health and well-being and access to health services. The methods emphasize spatial relationships – those based on location, distance and proximity – as critical dimensions of health and health care. Looking back, the history of spatial modeling in health geography reveals both enthusiastic adoption of the methods and trenchant critiques of their validity and value. The give-and-take between embrace and critique led to the current pluralistic state in which spatial modeling stands alongside other methodologies as a well-used approach in health geography and a vibrant area of research endeavor. Spatial modeling has also achieved considerable success and impact as an arena for cross-fertilization with disciplines such as epidemiology, biostatistics and diverse health-related fields.
