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Data Science in Environmental Health Research.

ABSTRACT: Purpose of Review:Data science is an exploding trans-disciplinary field that aims to harness the power of data to gain information or insights on researcher-defined topics of interest. In this paper we review how data science can help advance environmental health research. Recent Findings:We discuss the concepts computationally scalable handling of Big Data and the design of efficient research data platforms, and how data science can provide solutions for methodological challenges in environmental health research, such as high-dimensional outcomes and exposures, and prediction models. Finally, we discuss tools for reproducible research. Summary:In this paper we present opportunities to improve environmental research capabilities by embracing data science, and the pitfalls that environmental health researchers should avoid when employing data scientific approaches. Throughout the paper, we emphasize the need for environmental health researchers to collaborate more closely with biostatisticians and data scientists to ensure robust and interpretable results.

SUBMITTER: Choirat C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6853613 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Data Science in Environmental Health Research.

Choirat Christine C Braun Danielle D Kioumourtzoglou Marianthi-Anna MA

Current epidemiology reports 20190715 3

<h4>Purpose of review</h4>Data science is an exploding trans-disciplinary field that aims to harness the power of data to gain information or insights on researcher-defined topics of interest. In this paper we review how data science can help advance environmental health research.<h4>Recent findings</h4>We discuss the concepts computationally scalable handling of Big Data and the design of efficient research data platforms, and how data science can provide solutions for methodological challenges ...[more]

PMID: 31723546

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Project description:Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is increasingly used in health research to capture individual mobility and contextual and environmental exposures. However, the tools, techniques and decisions for using GPS data vary from study to study, making comparisons and reproducibility challenging.ObjectivesThe objectives of this systematic review were to (1) identify best practices for GPS data collection and processing; (2) quantify reporting of best practices in published studies; and (3) discuss examples found in reviewed manuscripts that future researchers may employ for reporting GPS data usage, processing and linkage of GPS data in health studies.DesignA systematic review.Data sourcesElectronic databases searched (24 October 2023) were PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022322166).Eligibility criteriaIncluded peer-reviewed studies published in English met at least one of the criteria: (1) protocols involving GPS for exposure/context and human health research purposes and containing empirical data; (2) linkage of GPS data to other data intended for research on contextual influences on health; (3) associations between GPS-measured mobility or exposures and health; (4) derived variable methods using GPS data in health research; or (5) comparison of GPS tracking with other methods (eg, travel diary).Data extraction and synthesisWe examined 157 manuscripts for reporting of best practices including wear time, sampling frequency, data validity, noise/signal loss and data linkage to assess risk of bias.ResultsWe found that 6% of the studies did not disclose the GPS device model used, only 12.1% reported the per cent of GPS data lost by signal loss, only 15.7% reported the per cent of GPS data considered to be noise and only 68.2% reported the inclusion criteria for their data.ConclusionsOur recommendations for reporting on GPS usage, processing and linkage may be transferrable to other geospatial devices, with the hope of promoting transparency and reproducibility in this research.Prospero registration numberCRD42022322166.

Project description:Research in environmental health is becoming increasingly reliant upon data science and computational methods that can more efficiently extract information from complex datasets. Data science and computational methods can be leveraged to better identify relationships between exposures to stressors in the environment and human disease outcomes, representing critical information needed to protect and improve global public health. Still, there remains a critical gap surrounding the training of researchers on these in silico methods. We aimed to address this gap by developing the inTelligence And Machine lEarning (TAME) Toolkit, promoting trainee-driven data generation, management, and analysis methods to "TAME" data in environmental health studies. Training modules were developed to provide applications-driven examples of data organization and analysis methods that can be used to address environmental health questions. Target audiences for these modules include students, post-baccalaureate and post-doctorate trainees, and professionals that are interested in expanding their skillset to include recent advances in data analysis methods relevant to environmental health, toxicology, exposure science, epidemiology, and bioinformatics/cheminformatics. Modules were developed by study coauthors using annotated script and were organized into three chapters within a GitHub Bookdown site. The first chapter of modules focuses on introductory data science, which includes the following topics: setting up R/RStudio and coding in the R environment; data organization basics; finding and visualizing data trends; high-dimensional data visualizations; and Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability (FAIR) data management practices. The second chapter of modules incorporates chemical-biological analyses and predictive modeling, spanning the following methods: dose-response modeling; machine learning and predictive modeling; mixtures analyses; -omics analyses; toxicokinetic modeling; and read-across toxicity predictions. The last chapter of modules was organized to provide examples on environmental health database mining and integration, including chemical exposure, health outcome, and environmental justice indicators. Training modules and associated data are publicly available online (https://uncsrp.github.io/Data-Analysis-Training-Modules/). Together, this resource provides unique opportunities to obtain introductory-level training on current data analysis methods applicable to 21st century science and environmental health.

Project description:BackgroundEnvironmental exposures are commonly estimated using spatial methods, with most epidemiological studies relying on home addresses. Passively collected smartphone location data, like Google Location History (GLH) data, may present an opportunity to integrate existing long-term time-activity data.ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the potential use of GLH data for capturing long-term retrospective time-activity data for environmental health research.MethodsWe included 378 individuals who participated in previous Global Positioning System (GPS) studies within the Washington State Twin Registry. GLH data consists of location information that has been routinely collected since 2010 when location sharing was enabled within android operating systems or Google apps. We created instructions for participants to download their GLH data and provide it through secure data transfer. We summarized the GLH data provided, compared it to available GPS data, and conducted an exposure assessment for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution.ResultsOf 378 individuals contacted, we received GLH data from 61 individuals (16.1%) and 53 (14.0%) indicated interest but did not have historical GLH data available. The provided GLH data spanned 2010-2021 and included 34 million locations, capturing 66,677 participant days. The median number of days with GLH data per participant was 752, capturing 442 unique locations. When we compared GLH data to 2-wk GPS data (∼1.8 million points), 95% of GPS time-activity points were within 100m of GLH locations. We observed important differences between NO2 exposures assigned at home locations compared with GLH locations, highlighting the importance of GLH data to environmental exposure assessment.DiscussionWe believe collecting GLH data is a feasible and cost-effective method for capturing retrospective time-activity patterns for large populations that presents new opportunities for environmental epidemiology. Cohort studies should consider adding GLH data collection to capture historical time-activity patterns of participants, employing a "bring-your-own-location-data" citizen science approach. Privacy remains a concern that needs to be carefully managed when using GLH data. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10829.

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Data Science in Environmental Health Research.

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Data Science in Environmental Health Research.

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