Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Public Health Practice

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) are used in many fields to create, store, analyze, and display data with a spatial component (i.e. location information). In recent years, the use of GIS by public health professionals has expanded rapidly, driven by the growing realization that :

1. The majority of health data have a spatial component,
2. Graphical representations, particularly maps, are extremely informative to various aspects of public health, and
3. There is value in associating health data with other data (e.g. census data, environmental data, etc).

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GIS adds a powerful graphical and analytical dimension to public health by bringing together the fundamental epidemiological triad of person, time, and the often-neglected place. The analysis and mapping of data using Public Health GIS include:

• The spread of diseases over time
• Spatial patterns of outbreaks
• Population groups at risk
• Availability and access to health care
• Program intervention planning and assessment

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To increase the GIS capacity of public health professionals in Canada the Office of Public Health Practice provides GIS services tailored to their needs. We work with Canadian public health professionals at federal, provincial/territorial, regional, and local levels, as well as non-government organizations (NGOs) and academic research groups. To support the spatial information needs of evidence-based public health planning and research in areas such as chronic and infectious disease prevention and control, health promotion, surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, and pandemic outbreaks we offer:

• No cost access to data
• Intuitive and easy to use tools
• Support and training
• Partnership and collaboration

In addition to national support and collaboration, we undertake research relevant to Canadian Public Health GIS and foster links to the international Public Health GIS community.

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For more information,

• download our brochure ( 502 KB)
• send an e-mail to gishelp@phac-aspc.gc.ca
• or, call toll free: 1-877-430-9995