Geographic Methods for Health
PATH 694 or PATH 594
(to be replaced by permanent course number following approval)
1 semester hour
An elective for Veterinary students – others please contact me. M Ruiz.
Meeting time for Spring 2010
2-4 pm, Fridays, from Jan 22 to March 12
Room 2281 VMBSB
Marilyn Ruiz, instructor, Department of Pathobiology
217-265-5115
Room 2639 VMBSB
Course Description
Students are introduced to the ArcGIS software through lectures and exercises. The course uses application-based learning to address topics related to spatial analysis and mapping for veterinary and public health. The exercises include making maps of disease occurrence and disease rates, using census data for population estimates, and creating maps that combine environmental factors with patterns of illness.
Grading
70% - Attendance at course meetings and completion of exercises. The exercises are designed to be completed in class, though in some cases, students may require more time. Room 2281 is available for students when it is not being used for a course.
30% - Students have a choice
1) Submit a short paper (2-3) pages evaluating and discussing 2 papers that use GIS in an area of interest to the student
2) Give a 10 minute presentation in class on how to carry out one of the class exercises. This includes creating a 1-page handout for students related to the solution provided.
Several readings are provided and should be reviewed during the week they are listed. Brief discussions of the readings will held at the beginning of class.
Outline
Week 1
Lecture: Spatial analysis in veterinary and public health
Lab exercise 1. Introduction to ArcGIS
Reading 1 –. Norman 2008
Plus internet search on GIS and an application area.
Week 2
Lecture: GIS data, data sources and creation methods
Lab exercise 2. Creating spatial data from digital images
Reading 2 – Siffel et al. 2006
Week 3
Lecture: Address geocoding and making maps
Lab exercise 3. Making maps from addresses & making spatial buffers, an example of fast foods in proximity to schools
Reading 3 – Grisi-Filho et al 2008.
Week 4
Lecture: Census data and tracking populations
Lab Exercise 4: Making maps from several data sources
Reading 4 – Cringoli et al. 2004.
Week 5
Lecture: Spatial analysis and remotely sensed imagery
Lab Exercise 5: Comparing and charting malaria, typhoid and environment
Reading 5 – Estrada-Pena & Venzal 2007.
http://www.geospatialhealth.unina.it/fulltext.php?ida=17
Week 6
Lab Exercise 5: cont. Comparing and charting malaria, typhoid and environment
Presentations on Lab exercises 2 and 3
Reading 6 – Martin et al. 2007
http://www.geospatialhealth.unina.it/fulltext.php?ida=29
Week 7
Lecture: Spatial aspects of disease surveillance and epidemiology
Lab Exercise 6: Exploring patterns of St. Louis Encephalitis
Week 8
Lab Exercise 6: Exploring patterns of St. Louis Encephalitis
Presentations on Lab exercises 4 and 5
Reading list
1. S. A. Norman. Spatial epidemiology and GIS in marine mammal conservation medicine and disease research. Ecohealth. 5 (3):257-267, 2008.
Part 2 of the readings for this week: Do an Internet search on GIS and an application area. Be prepared to discuss this in class.
2. C. Siffel, M. J. Strickland, B. R. Gardner, R. S. Kirby, and A. Correa. Role of geographic information systems in birth defects surveillance and research. Birth Defects Res.A Clin.Mol.Teratol. 76 (11):825-833, 2006.
3. J. H. Grisi-Filho, M. Amaku, R. A. Dias, Netto H. Montenegro, N. T. Paranhos, M. C. Mendes, J. S. Ferreira Neto, and F. Ferreira. Use of geographic information systems in rabies vaccination campaigns. Rev.Saude Publica 42 (6):1005-1011, 2008.
4. G. Cringoli, R. Taddei, L. Rinaldi, V. Veneziano, V. Musella, C. Cascone, G. Sibilio, and J. B. Malone. Use of remote sensing and geographical information systems to identify environmental features that influence the distribution of paramphistomosis in sheep from the southern Italian Apennines. Vet.Parasitol. 122 (1):15-26, 2004.
5. A. Estrada-Pena and J. M. Venzal. A GIS framework for the assessment of tick impact on human health in a changing climate. Geospat.Health 1 (2):157-168, 2007.
6. V. Martin, L. De Simone, J. Lubroth, P. Ceccato, and V. Chevalier. Perspectives on using remotely-sensed imagery in predictive veterinary epidemiology and global early warning systems. Geospat.Health 2 (1):3-14, 2007.
Supplemental Reading
Gewin, V. Mapping opportunities. Nature 427: 376-377, 2004.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v427/n6972/full/nj6972-376a.html