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Public Health
Citation:
JACKSON, L. Public Health. Edition 1, Chapter 9.4, Yang P, Wong D, Miao Q & Yang R (ed.), Advanced GeoInformation Science. CRC Press - Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL, 1:1-525, (2010).
Impact/Purpose:
Book chapter
Description:
Earth observations can be used to address human health concerns in many ways: projecting occurrence of disease or disease outbreaks; rapid detection and tracking of events; construction of risk maps; targeting interventions; and enhancing knowledge of human health-environment interactions. This chapter section highlights applications of Earth observations to public health in three thematic areas: heat (heat waves and wildfires); wildlife-associated diseases; and oceans (harmful algal blooms and Vibrio species of bacteria). Some examples are the historic European heat wave of 2003, the role of land use pattern in the transmission of Lyme disease in the United States, and the relationships among chlorophyll, sea surface temperature, rainfall and cholera outbreaks in Bangladesh and India. These topics do not cover all aspects of Earth observations and public health, but they serve to illustrate the application of Earth observations to a variety of public health issues related to infectious diseases and other hazards in both terrestrial and oceanic systems. Examples of decision support include monitoring and forecasting for both short-term emergency response and long-term planning for prevention. The need to consider highly vulnerable populations as well as the effects of global climate change is integral to all of the illustrations.
