Geographic Information Systems and Health Applications

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the health sector is an idea whose time has come. The current applications of GIS in health are diverse and extensive. The present GIS environment is heavily driven by technology and such an approach is indeed logical for the most part. However, the needs of less-developed countries in utilizing the concepts and technologies of mapping should not be neglected in the continuing evolution of GIS. Geographic Information Systems and Health Applications presents a sampling of the many applications utilizing GIS in the field of health.

Omar A. Khan has a keen interest in the field of health and GIS and has served as co-chair of the First and Second International Health Geographics Conferences. His interests include health care for the under-served and an active research interest in international health. Khan has a faculty appointment at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. He served as the first Director of the South Asia Infectious Disease Network (SAIDNET) and presently works with the South Asia Public Health Forum as well. He has served as a consultant for the US Dept of Health & Human Services as well as international disease control programs such as the AIDS International Training & Research Program (AITRP), through the University of Alabama School of Public Health.