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a Mapping and Spatial Analysis in Support of Health Department Operations <br /> GIS can be utilized to provide support for epidemiology studies , routing for public outreach <br /> programs , geo-spatial analysis of health records such as immunization and special program <br /> participants among various other Health Department related operations . <br /> Access to an accurate and up-to-date address point layer is critical for the tracking of the <br /> spread of various diseases and health problems (such as low-weight births ) . The address of <br /> each person with a contagious disease can be displayed according to when the disease <br /> was reported , or when each sufferer is suspected of contracting the disease . <br /> There are a wide variety of books on the market that focus on the use of GIS and spatial <br /> analysis for tracking diseases and other analysis important to the Health Department . Please <br /> refer to http ://www .esri . com /industries / health /index. html for much more information on the <br /> uses of GIS for health analysis . <br /> An Intranet GIS data browser is recommended for Health Department personnel to conduct <br /> basic spatial analysis and to produce maps . For advanced analysis and other tasks such as <br /> data creation or manipulation , the Health Department should train for and utilize desktop <br /> GIS software . See the Recommended Applications Section later in this Needs Assessment for <br /> a list of recommended software for the Health Department. <br /> _ Formal GIS Training for Health Department Staff <br /> Several departments/divisions , including the Health Department , will benefit from formal <br /> training in GIS . It is recommended that the Health Department and the GIS Director identify <br /> key division staff to receive formal training . More information on training opportunities can <br /> be found in Chapter 8 : GIS Training and Education . <br /> 4 Epidemiology and GIS : Prince William County Virginia Health Department <br /> lip <br /> Ah <br /> _ of . , <br /> 1. <br /> p, <j <br /> Epidemiology researchers can find clues to the spread of a disease as they study outbreaks <br /> of the disease through time , location , and groupings of people . In many cases , people with <br /> = an illness belong to several groups such as family, school , church , and work. These groups <br /> are also identified by location . By mapping the location of various groups and looking at the <br /> presence of illness over time, it may be easier to identify the source of a disease and how it <br /> spreads . Knowing these factors can help doctors create a plan to halt the spread of disease . <br /> 214 <br /> GIS Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan Chapter 1 - Departmental GIS Needs Assessment <br />