Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to GIS in Public Health and Health Sector Programmes

• Overview of GIS and its applications in the health sector

• Key GIS concepts: spatial data, layers, georeferencing, and coordinate systems

• Introduction to GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) and their functionalities in health applications

• Data types in GIS: Raster vs. Vector, and their relevance in health analysis

• Case Study: Using GIS to map and analyze the distribution of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa

Module 2: Mapping Health Data and Disease Surveillance with GIS

• Collecting, processing, and visualizing health data in GIS

• Integrating disease surveillance data (e.g., cases of infectious diseases) into GIS platforms

• Creating heatmaps and disease distribution maps for visual analysis

• Hands-on exercise: Mapping the spread of an infectious disease (e.g., Zika virus or COVID-19)

• Case Study: GIS-based surveillance of Ebola outbreaks in West Africa

Module 3: Spatial Analysis for Healthcare Access and Resource Allocation

• Analyzing healthcare access using spatial analysis (distance to health facilities, service coverage)

• Identifying service gaps and areas with limited access to healthcare resources

• Optimizing resource allocation using spatial tools (e.g., network analysis, proximity analysis)

• Hands-on exercise: Analyzing accessibility to health services in rural areas using GIS

• Case Study: Optimizing the distribution of vaccines in low-resource settings using GIS

Module 4: GIS for Health Risk Assessment and Environmental Health

• Integrating environmental factors (air quality, water contamination) with health data

• Conducting spatial analysis for health risk assessment (e.g., air pollution and respiratory diseases)

• Using GIS to model environmental health risks and vulnerable populations

• Hands-on exercise: Mapping air quality and health risks in urban settings

• Case Study: Using GIS to monitor and map the impacts of waterborne diseases in South Asia

Module 5: GIS for Health Emergency Response and Planning

• Using GIS to support disaster response and public health emergencies (e.g., disease outbreaks, natural disasters)

• Identifying and mapping vulnerable populations and health infrastructure for emergency preparedness

• Modeling emergency response scenarios and optimizing healthcare distribution during crises

• Hands-on exercise: Developing an emergency response plan using GIS

• Case Study: GIS-based emergency response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the cholera outbreak