"Health geography is the application of geographical information, perspectives, and methods to the study of health, disease, and health care."
- This topic describes how GIS technology can aid in the analysis and visualization of geospatial data related to healthcare planning and delivery.
Introduction to GIS: Understanding the basic concepts of Geographic Information Systems, including data types, layers, and analysis tools.
Spatial data and analysis: Understanding the different kinds of spatial data and the various methods of analysis that can be conducted using GIS.
Data management: Understanding how to organize, store, and manage spatial data, along with knowledge on database management systems (DBMS).
Mapping: Knowledge of creating and customizing maps using GIS software, symbolizing data, and labeling layers.
GPS and geolocation: Understanding how GPS and geolocation is used in GIS, including which applications and devices can be used.
Remote sensing: Understanding how to collect and analyze data using remote sensing tools, such as satellite imagery and aerial photography.
Spatial analysis techniques: Knowledge of the different techniques for analyzing GIS data, including proximity analysis, overlay analysis, and network analysis.
Cartography: Understanding the principles of map design, including layout, scale, projection, and symbology.
Metadata: Knowledge of metadata, including how to create, edit, and manage metadata documents for spatial data.
Web mapping: Understanding how to publish GIS data on the web in the form of interactive maps.
Medical geography: Understanding the fundamentals of medical geography, including how it relates to public health and epidemiology.
Population health and spatial analysis: Knowledge of how GIS is used in population health studies, including the analysis of health inequalities.
Disease mapping: Understanding how to create maps of disease prevalence, incidence, and mortality using GIS.
Geocoding and georeferencing: Knowledge of how to convert addresses to geographic coordinates, and to align raster and vector data to geographic coordinates.
Health care accessibility: Understanding how GIS is used to measure and analyze the accessibility of health care providers for different populations.
Spatial patterns of health outcomes: Knowledge of how GIS can be used to identify spatial patterns of health outcomes, such as clustering or diffusion of diseases.
Environmental health: Understanding how GIS is used to investigate the linkages between environmental factors and public health outcomes.
Spatial epidemiology: Knowledge of the principles of spatial epidemiology, including how to analyze and visualize spatial patterns of health events.
Health risk mapping: Understanding how GIS is used to map and identify risks to public health, such as natural disasters or infectious diseases.
Health disparities: Understanding how GIS is used to identify and measure health disparities across different populations, and support policy or intervention decisions.
Desktop GIS: Desktop GIS refers to the use of computer software to analyze and visualize geographic data, allowing for the creation of maps and spatial analysis on a personal computer.
Web GIS: Web GIS refers to the use of internet technologies to provide access, analyze and visualize geographical information and spatial data through interactive web-based platforms.
Mobile GIS: Mobile GIS is a technology that enables the collection, manipulation, and analysis of geographic data using portable devices like smartphones and tablets.
Server GIS: Server GIS refers to the centralized storage and processing of geospatial data on a server, allowing for efficient management, analysis, and distribution of geographic information.
Cloud GIS: Cloud GIS refers to the use of cloud computing technology for storing, managing, and analyzing geographic data and performing spatial analysis, enabling users to access and collaborate on GIS data and applications online.
Spatial Epidemiology: Spatial Epidemiology is a field that studies the geographical distribution of diseases and their correlation with demographic and environmental factors through the use of GIS technology.
Environmental and occupational health geography: Environmental and occupational health geography focuses on studying the spatial distribution, patterns, and effects of environmental factors and occupational hazards on human health.
Health care geography (or Medical Services Geography): Health care geography, also known as medical services geography, studies the spatial distribution, accessibility, and utilization of healthcare services, facilities, and resources within a region or at a global scale.
Medical Demography: Medical demography is the study of the spatial distribution and statistical measurement of health conditions, disease prevalence, and healthcare resources in populations.
Medical Migration Geography: Medical Migration Geography is the study of the spatial patterns and impacts of the movement of healthcare professionals and patients across geographic boundaries.
Medical Tourism Geography: Medical Tourism Geography is the study of the spatial patterns, factors, and impacts of individuals traveling to foreign countries for medical treatment.
"Medical geography, a sub-discipline of or sister field of health geography, focuses on understanding spatial patterns of health and disease as related to the natural and social environment."
"Conventionally, there are two primary areas of research within medical geography: the first deals with the spatial distribution and determinants of morbidity and mortality, while the second deals with health planning, help-seeking behavior, and the provision of health services."