Spatial analysis of longevity in a northern Italian region

Massimiliano Marino, Università di Bologna
Rossella Miglio, Università di Bologna
Alessandra Samoggia, Università di Bologna

It is known that human longevity patterns show regional variations. Starting from this point, we applied different techniques of Spatial Analysis (based on Scan statistics) in Emilia Romagna, a northern Italian region, to identify aggregations of areas (municipalities) characterized by a statistically significant level of the phenomenon. We identified areas with higher propensity to longevity in the south-eastern part of the region that oppose to others in the north-eastern direction characterized by lower intensity of the phenomenon. Comparing the results of the different spatial scan statistic methods we have obtained a combined solution that could provide insight to identify possible longevity “clusters” and their persistence. These results are at first glance confirmed by standardized mortality rates lower in the areas of high longevity than in other parts of the region. On the whole, the results show the effectiveness of spatial analysis in revealing geographical longevity patterns.