Spatial epidemiology is the study of spread of disease and disease transmission. Understanding how diseases spread helps to reduce outbreaks and control future spread as well as aiding in resource allocation. Medical geography is a part of medical research that utilizes techniques of the geographic field, such as GPS, GIS, modeling, and cartography, to assist in the study of global health and the spread of diseases. This area of geographic study investigates the impact of climate and location on both the health of an area’s population and on the health of the individual (Goodchild, 2010).
Why is disease mapping relevant today? Because many factors control how disease outbreaks begin and are spread. Natural disasters and weather events often have strong effects on disease spread and realizing this relationship can lead to prevention and better preparation by local and state officials. The environment affects our health and understanding environmental factors can lead to a better understanding of disease spread and causation. These factors, as well as people, are spread, often unevenly, across varying geographic regions (Cromley, 2002).
References:
Cromley, E.K., and S.L. McLafferty. (2002). GIS and Public Health (1st ed.) New York: Guilford Press.
Book that gives insight and examples of the use of GIS systems for monitoring public health and disease spread.
Goodchild, M.F., and D.G. Janelle. (February 2010). Toward critical spatial thinking in the social sciences and humanities. GeoJournal 75(1):3-13.
Article that talks about the ways spatial thinking are applied to different fields of study.
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