Introduction to Geographic Information Systems in Public Health

This clear and accessible text helps public health professionals gain a solid understanding of geographic information system technology, what it is, how it works, and how it shapes their careers. Using examples drawn from public health practice, The author fully explains this exciting technological development. The text builds from basic to more advanced topics, such as: A description and the history of GIS Getting started using GIS: hardware, software, and Internet essentials Examples of the use and relevance of GIS for environmental health, communicable disease control, injury prevention, chronic disease prevention and control, and community health assessment and improvement Also, limitations and potential problems of the technology the connection between GIS technology and public health management and practice, including the future role of public health officials Also includes graphs, charts and maps to reinforce the text; tables that summarize important information; and URLs for useful web sites; glossary of key terms

Alan L. Melnick, MD, MPH, is Currently Director of Joint Residency in Family Medicine/Public Health & General Preventive Medicine, as well as Assistant Professor at Oregon Health & Sciences University Department of Family Medicine, he is also Health Officer for Clackamas County, Oregon. His career in public health includes several policy roles at the state and federal levels. He participated in a NACCHO pilot project to test new software for APEXPH98, and helped develop a prototype of an APEX-compatible Geographic Information Systems application for community health assessment