Bitten and Burdened: Rethinking Snakebite Risk Through Exposure, Behavior, and Spatial Patterns in North Carolina
Location
PANEL: Biodiversity and Species Distributions
Science Center A154
Moderator: Abby Aresty
Document Type
Presentation - Open Access
Start Date
5-1-2026 4:30 PM
End Date
5-1-2026 5:30 PM
Abstract
Snakebite is an understudied public health issue in the United States, despite the consistent presence of venomous species and documented regional variation in incidence. This study examines county-level snakebite incidence in North Carolina to assess whether risk is driven primarily by ecological factors—such as snake presence—or by human-centered factors, including demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. North Carolina serves as an effective model due to its high incidence of snake envenomation, diverse ecological regions, and pronounced variation in rural-urban and socioeconomic conditions. Using census data and North Carolina Poison Control bite statistics, I analyzed correlations between normalized snakebite incidence and demographic, environmental, and socioeconomic variables. I constructed a composite structural disadvantage index through principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the contributions of each variable and used spatial analyses to compare snakebite incidence with copperhead sightings, population density, and rural–urban classification. Contrary to expectations, I find snake presence and rurality showed weak or negligible associations with incidence, while socioeconomic indicators produced mixed and often counterintuitive results. Spatial mismatches between snake sightings and reported envenomations suggest that ecological presence alone does not determine risk. Taken together, these findings indicate snakebite incidence is shaped more by human behavior than by snake distribution. To develop actionable recommendations, I applied a PRINCE policy analysis evaluating potential interventions. Targeted education strategies—particularly those focused on high-risk regions—emerged as the most effective and equitable approach to snakebite prevention. This study highlights the value of integrating spatial, social, and behavioral perspectives to understand and prevent snake-related injury in the United States.
Keywords:
Social determinants of health, Health and ecology, Snake envenomation
Recommended Citation
Potts, Ellie, "Bitten and Burdened: Rethinking Snakebite Risk Through Exposure, Behavior, and Spatial Patterns in North Carolina" (2026). Research Symposium. 34.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2026/presentations/34
Major
Biology
Award
Robert Rich Research Award
Project Mentor(s)
Gaybe Moore, Biology
Andrew Pike, Biology
Jason Gleditsch, Biology
2026
Bitten and Burdened: Rethinking Snakebite Risk Through Exposure, Behavior, and Spatial Patterns in North Carolina
PANEL: Biodiversity and Species Distributions
Science Center A154
Moderator: Abby Aresty
Snakebite is an understudied public health issue in the United States, despite the consistent presence of venomous species and documented regional variation in incidence. This study examines county-level snakebite incidence in North Carolina to assess whether risk is driven primarily by ecological factors—such as snake presence—or by human-centered factors, including demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. North Carolina serves as an effective model due to its high incidence of snake envenomation, diverse ecological regions, and pronounced variation in rural-urban and socioeconomic conditions. Using census data and North Carolina Poison Control bite statistics, I analyzed correlations between normalized snakebite incidence and demographic, environmental, and socioeconomic variables. I constructed a composite structural disadvantage index through principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the contributions of each variable and used spatial analyses to compare snakebite incidence with copperhead sightings, population density, and rural–urban classification. Contrary to expectations, I find snake presence and rurality showed weak or negligible associations with incidence, while socioeconomic indicators produced mixed and often counterintuitive results. Spatial mismatches between snake sightings and reported envenomations suggest that ecological presence alone does not determine risk. Taken together, these findings indicate snakebite incidence is shaped more by human behavior than by snake distribution. To develop actionable recommendations, I applied a PRINCE policy analysis evaluating potential interventions. Targeted education strategies—particularly those focused on high-risk regions—emerged as the most effective and equitable approach to snakebite prevention. This study highlights the value of integrating spatial, social, and behavioral perspectives to understand and prevent snake-related injury in the United States.
