Volume 60, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2022
ASSESSING DIFFERENCES IN AVERAGE WINTERTIME PRECIPITATION FOR
NEUTRAL, EL NIÑO AND LA NIÑA YEARS IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND AND
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: 1970 TO 2020
(p. 1-12)
Richard S. Courtney
Department of Geography
Kutztown University
Abstract
While the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a climate event born in the equatorial
Pacific Ocean, its effects on weather can be far-reaching. The continents of
Australia and South America, and the Indian subcontinent are often dramatically
affected. North America is also subject to the influences of ENSO. Research has suggested
that wintertime precipitation is greater for the Gulf Coast states during El Niño
episodes, and similar findings have been found for Baltimore, Maryland, which is in
the Middle Atlantic region. This study employs the use of parametric tests to assess differences
in average wintertime precipitation for Neutral, El Niño, and La Niña years
in Baltimore, Maryland and Tallahassee, Florida over the 1970 to 2020 time frame.
Generally, insignificant differences were found among Neutral and El Niño years, but
significant differences exist with La Niña years.
KEEPING THOSE TEETH CLEAN: EXAMINING GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCE IN
ACCESS TO DENTAL OFFICES FOR OLDER ADULTS IN PENNSYLVANIA
(p. 13-27)
Moira Conway
Department of Geography
Kutztown University
Abstract
Dental care is an essential public health need, as oral health impacts many other aspects
of human health. However, accessibility to dental care varies greatly depending
on geographic location, socioeconomic background, and transportation options. This
project seeks to spatially analyze the availability of dental care to residents in urban,
suburban, and rural areas, using case study locations in the state of Pennsylvania.
While research on dental accessibility is limited, much existing research focuses on
children. This project seeks to focus on older adults, using selected counties in each of
the three geographies. The method employed to determine accessibility of dental offices
is GIS suitability modeling. By examining the differences in access between geographic
locations of varying densities, variation in dental care availability can be determined,
and policy recommendations can be developed to improve dental care options. This
project builds on a growing body of literature using GIS methods to explore public
health issues.
FOLKLIFE AS GEONARRATIVE: THE FLUVIAL LIFEWORLD CONFLUENCES
OF THE LOWER ABRA RIVER-DELTA AND THE TOWN OF SANTA
(p. 28-53)
Dominique Sasha Amorsolo
Department of Geography
University of the Philippines Diliman
Abstract
Santa is a low-lying community situated along the lower Abra River and its delta
off the coast of Ilocos Sur province in the northwest Philippines. Both the town and
the river are subjected to heavy rains and flooding due to tropical cyclones that traverse
the country. Based on historical records, Santa has changed its location multiple
times, in relation to river morphology changes and/or associated floods. Using historical
maps, satellite images, archival documents, and interviews, this study seeks
to re-analyze and integrate these data to make a river-town geonarrative and create
countermapped outputs that represent the “new folklife” geonarratives using GIS.
Based on the outcome, a “confluence” prevails between the river’s natural behavior
and people’s socio-cultural experiences, economic needs, and Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management (DRRM) practices. The c onvergence o f b oth l ifeworlds i nfluences
the “long-ago,” the “ongoing,” and the “yet to come” river-tales that depict the “new
folklife” geonarratives of a Philippine fluvialscape.
AN INITIAL INVESTIGATION OF CHILDREN’S ASTHMA IN PENNSYLVANIA
(p. 54-69)
Robert C. Ziegenfus
Department of Geography
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Abstract
At the author’s request, the Pennsylvania Department of Health provided a
dataset of children’s asthma by county for the school years 2013-14 through
2019-20. Additional data were extracted from two national surveys: the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance Survey and the National Health Interview
Survey. Although asthma rates have declined slowly, Pennsylvania rates were
still higher than national rates. Regionally, eastern and southeastern counties
had the highest rates. Statewide, metropolitan counties had the highest rates.
Perhaps unique to Pennsylvania, at the county level, there was no statistically
significant correlation between asthma rates and educational attainment. All
but five counties had a decrease in their asthma rates over the seven years.