GIS in Public Health:
Using  Mapping and Spatial Analysis Technologies for Health Protection

A Public Health Training Network Satellite Broadcast

Originally aired May 11, 2000

Summary	Target Audience
Goal	Presenters
Objectives	Sponsors

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Geographic Information System (GIS) technology has become an important tool for public health professionals to better understand health issues they encounter every day. GIS allows the layering of health, demographic, environmental and other traditional data sources to be analyzed by their location on the earth's surface. GIS is a tool that can serve a wide range of research and surveillance purposes. This program will provide information on essential GIS concepts and terminology, finding and getting data into a GIS, an overview of spatial statistical analysis functions available using GIS software, issues regarding the use of GIS in public health applications, and examples of GIS applications in public health practice and surveillance.  This program will provide a live question and answer session, during which participants nationwide can ask instructors questions via toll free telephone lines, by fax, or via TTY lines.

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Goal
To provide public health professionals relevant and timely information regarding the use of GIS technology in public health applications.

Objectives
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be able to:

Describe basic geographic concepts
Discuss GIS functions relevantto public health
List and describe the different types of data used in GIS Describe the process of spatial analysis
Identify useful GIS data sources for public health and
    environmental protection
Discuss issues regarding the mapping and analysis
    of health data
Cite specific examples of GIS applications in the field
    of public health
Acquire resources for further training in GIS for health
    surveillance and environmental health protection

Target Audience
Public health professionals proficient with computers and databases who are seeking new tools and techniques for the examination and display of health, demographic, and environmental data.

Presenters
GIS experts from CDC/ATSDR and other public health and academic institutes, including:

Dr. Carol Hanchette, Research Triangle Institute
Dr. Bill Henriques, GIS Coordinator, ATSDR
Dr. Gerard Rushton, University of Iowa
Dr. Samuel Soret, Loma Linda School of Public Health

Sponsors
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Visit the PHTN website at http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtn for other distance learning events.
Visit the ATSDR's website at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ for other related information.