Mapping health on the Internet: A new tool for environmental justice and public health research

Maclachlan, John C.; Jerrett, Michael; Abernathy, Tom; Sears, Malcolm R.; Bunch, Martin J.

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2005.09.012

Cited by 46 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…As a result, WGIS has become an essential tool for SDI in many countries (e.g., Maguire and Longley 2005;Koshkarev et al 2008);Beaumont et al 2005;Rao et al 2002). WGIS and SDI applications are broad, ranging from managing and planning of conservation reserves (Rao et al 2002), to exploring biodiversity (Flemons et al 2007), decision support (Karnatak et al 2007), public health (Maclachlan et al 2007;Moreno-Sanchez et al 2006) and education (Lo et al 2009), among many others.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Web-oriented GIS system for monitoring, conservation and law enforcement of the Brazilian Amazon

et al. 2009

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A web GIS (WGIS) system for the Brazilian Amazon, named ImazonGeo and based on open source and public domain data, is presented. ImazonGeo was built following three principles. First, the system is based on Spatial Data Infrastructure architecture and web interface built using free software and public domain data. Second, we went beyond visualization of maps and spatial queries by providing information obtained with spatial analysis models. To do that, we designed a database that stores the results of previously defined spatial analyses and developed customized reports and query tools to facilitate fast access of information by end-users. Finally, the system is application-oriented in the areas of forest monitoring, conservation and forest law enforcement, meaning that it aims to contribute to support the protection of Brazilian Amazon forests. We illustrate these principles by presenting ImazonGeo's technology, architecture, content and tools. Moreover, we present two successful cases to demonstrate how the system is being used. We conclude the paper discussing the challenges and potential solutions to turning our WGIS-SDI system into an internet hub of geoinformation about the Brazilian Amazon.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Web-oriented GIS system for monitoring, conservation and law enforcement of the Brazilian Amazon

et al. 2009

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“…To analyze the eligible WGPHSSs, we adapted 20 indicators from previous studies [1,8], omitting several, including -Speed of site startup‖, -Ease of use‖, -Map upload time‖, and -Query process time‖, that we deemed highly subjective as they depend upon the user's computer configurations and network speed. We also excluded the indicator -System accessibility‖ as we chose to explore exclusively those WGPHSSs that could be accessed by the public.…”

Section: Indicators For Analyzing Wgphsssmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lack of funding may impede the provision of classroom training; however, adding training materials into system websites can facilitate training, thereby making Web GIS more cost-effective than desktop GIS [8]. This training method has already been implemented in several systems.…”

Section: Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Web GIS-Based Public Health Surveillance Systems: A Systematic Review

Luan

Law

2014

IJGI

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Web Geographic Information System (Web GIS) has been extensively and successfully exploited in various arenas. However, to date, the application of this technology in public health surveillance has yet to be systematically explored in the Web 2.0 era. We reviewed existing Web GIS-based Public Health Surveillance Systems (WGPHSSs) and assessed them based on 20 indicators adapted from previous studies. The indicators comprehensively cover various aspects of WGPHSS development, including metadata, data, cartography, data analysis, and technical aspects. Our literature search identified 58 relevant journal articles and 27 eligible WGPHSSs. Analyses of results revealed that WGPHSSs were frequently used for infectious-disease surveillance, and that geographical and performance inequalities existed in their development. The latest Web and Web GIS technologies have been used in developing WGPHSSs; however, significant deficiencies in data analysis, system compatibility, maintenance, and accessibility exist. A balance between public health surveillance and privacy concerns has yet to be struck. Use of news and social media as well as Web-user searching records as data sources, participatory public health surveillance, collaborations among health sectors at different spatial levels and among various disciplines, adaption or reuse of existing WGPHSSs, and adoption of geomashup and open-source development models were identified as the directions for advancing WGPHSSs.

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“…Increasingly, health organizations have maps of all types available on their web sites, some of which are targeted at a public audience, while other maps are for the exclusive use of public health professionals. In the past, small health and community organizations were restricted from introducing GIS tools into their agenda, often as a consequence of expertise and resource deficiencies (Maclachlan et al, 2007). In recent years, webbased GIS and interactive maps have materialized as a solution for providing access to useful geospatial information for larger audiences with often limited GIS experience (Kamadjeu and Tolentino, 2006;Pfeiffer et al, 2008).…”

Section: Map-use In Public Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A study by Maclachlan et al (2007) documented the development of a web-based interactive tool designed to investigate the relationship between asthma, air quality, and socio-demographic factors in Hamilton, Ontario in Canada. Upon completion of the tool in this study, a focus group and user-test of end users was assembled to assess usability and functionality of the online tool.…”

Section: Usability Engineering and User-testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating web-based static, animated and interactive maps for injury prevention

et al. 2009

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Abstract. Public health planning can benefit from visual exploration and analysis of geospatial data. Maps and geovisualization tools must be developed with the user-group in mind. User-needs assessment and usability testing are crucial elements in the iterative process of map design and implementation. This study presents the results of a usability test of static, animated and interactive maps of injury rates and socio-demographic determinants of injury by a sample of potential end-users in Toronto, Canada. The results of the user-testing suggest that different map types are useful for different purposes and for satisfying the varying skill level of the individual user. The static maps were deemed to be easy to use and versatile, while the animated maps could be made more useful if animation controls were provided. The split-screen concept of the interactive maps was highlighted as particularly effective for map comparison. Overall, interactive maps were identified as the preferred map type for comparing patterns of injury and related socio-demographic risk factors. Information collected from the user-tests is being used to expand and refine the injury web maps for Toronto, and could inform other public health-related geo-visualization projects.

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Mapping health on the Internet: A new tool for environmental justice and public health research

Cited by 46 publications

References 35 publications

Web-oriented GIS system for monitoring, conservation and law enforcement of the Brazilian Amazon

Web-oriented GIS system for monitoring, conservation and law enforcement of the Brazilian Amazon

Web GIS-Based Public Health Surveillance Systems: A Systematic Review

Evaluating web-based static, animated and interactive maps for injury prevention

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