Results: Several patterns in space and time were
identified and described, corresponding to distinct
neighbourhood characteristics. Violent trauma hotspots
were most prevalent in Vancouver’s nightclub district
on Friday and Saturday nights, with higher rates in the
most socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods.
Victim sex, age and mechanism of injury also formed
strong patterns. Three neighbourhood profiles are
presented using the dual axis of space/time to describe
the hotspot environments.
Conclusions: This work posits the value of
exploratory spatial data analysis using geographic
information systems in trauma epidemiology studies
and further suggests that using both space and time
concurrently to understand urban environmental
correlates of injury provides a more granular or higher
resolution picture of risk. We discuss implications for
injury prevention and control, focusing on education,
regulation, the built environment and injury
surveillance.