GIS in Public Health Practice

A compilation of contributions from leading experts in the field, the primary focus of this book is on real practice in the use of GIS in public health. GIS in Public Health Practice covers disease mapping and spatial analysis, then moves on to GIS applications in communicable disease control and environmental health protection, and applications in health care planning and policy. It also explores other issues surrounding the use of GIS in public health, particularly data availability, data protection and e-governance. Detailing the methods used in the different applications, this book is for practitioners, researchers and graduate students studying public health and epidemiology.

Significant advances in the evaluation and use of geographic information have had a major effect on key elements of public health. Strides in mapping technology as well as the availability and accuracy of health information enable public health practitioners to link and analyze data in new ways at international, regional, and even street levels. This geographical perspective generates new approaches in the study of communicable disease control, environmental health protection, health needs assessment, planning and policy, operational public health management, and many other areas.

GIS in Public Health Practice includes contributions from the leading researchers in the field who participated in the First European Conference on Geographic Information Sciences and Public Health. This event promoted the use of GIS within the realm of public health. Specifically selected and expanded contributions illustrate particular areas of application and address issues of major importance. Many of the chapters have a UK or European focus, but examine issues, principles, and methods that are relevant worldwide.

GIS in Public Health Practice is the first book to treat GIS as more than a mere technology. It recognizes GIS as a science that encompasses the development and application of scientific methods toward solving societal problems, an emerging facet of public health research and practice. This compilation is beneficial to all practitioners and researchers with an interest in public health.