Geography and Public Health:

Using Technology to Strengthen Programs ANDREW INGLIS: USAID | DELIVER PROJECT OCTOBER 8, 2010

Technology Public Health Geography

Role of Geography in Public Health

• John Snow’s map of Broad Street pump: – map did NOT identify the pump as the cause – map was used to demonstrate and explain the relationship between the pump and cholera outbreak

Role of Geography in Strategic Thinking • Use to inform decision makers: – visually – point of discussion – explaining plans • Military • Transport • Urban

Photo: A.Inglis 2005

Pre- and Post-GIS

• Pre-GIS – Mapping was generally limited issues directly related space; • Land tenure, navigation, military, transport, etc… – Expensive, time consuming and activity specific maps • Post-GIS – Mapping applications was expanded and made accessible • Health, shopping, population, recreation….

– Linking data to a geographic location

GIS Software

• Proprietary software • Open source GIS

GRASS GIS

Google Earth

• Great idea with real applications

Interactive Session

How to Use the Functionality

• Web mapping – Sharing – Interactive (also Desktop) – Geo RSS feeds • Central Data linked to Decentralized Data – Central Health Facility Database – Crowd sourcing information • Geo Mobile technology How do I use this spatial information to make a decision?

What Can We Learn from Past Use of Mapping in Public Health?

• Explain/demonstrate patterns • Identify gaps • Generate points of discussion

What Has Changed

• Speed (potentially near real-time mapping) • Ability to make maps – Non-GIS users can make maps • Accessibility – On and offline mapping • Sharing maps – Across the internet • Interactive maps – No longer just paper maps!

What Has Not Changed

• Reliance on good/organized data • Needs when making decisions – Right Information – Right Time – Right Place – Right Scale

How Has Technology Shaped the way make maps and use maps?

• Change paradigm – From one-off to continuous mapping • Moving from a single purpose surveys • Multiple purpose mapping – Potential of integration data • Linking using geography between different datasets – Transport, Education, Health, etc…

Example: Rwanda

• Supply Chain

Interactive Session

• Census • MEASURE DHS