Date: August 13 - 17, 2007

Additional Information

The course has been developed for health workers that desire to apply the latest technology, spatial statistics, and spatial analytic capabilities of GIS to the investigation, prevention, and control of disease. This course has been presented to health researchers working in the field of vector control, communicable diseases, and the assessment of the environmental risks of various diseases including cancer.

The course has been designed to prepare students at all levels to use GIS, spatial statistics, GPS, predictive modeling, and remote sensing for health research. The course is taught using lectures and practical exercises in a "cookbook" format. A health worker may complete the tasks and interpret the results by simply performing the step-by-step activities under the direction of the instructors. However, more advanced students may take advantage of the many years of GIS, medical geography, epidemiology, and research experience of the professors who will be leading the course. Students are encouraged to bring the data for their specific research project. Laboratory time will be available in the evening for students to use the skills and techniques they learned during the day to apply to their research problems.

After the one-week course the students are free to take the books, etc. from the training program and use them as reference tools for their work. In addition, the training staff is available to answer questions that may remain outstanding from the course. Consulting is also available to health organizations that require additional help to obtain an appropriate solution for their research objectives.