GeoHealth

GeoHealth– Mapping the Way to Healthy Communities

Tentative Structure

Geographic information systems (GIS) and other geospatial technologies offer tremendous benefits for the health care industry. Whether used in strategic planning for hospitals, epidemiological studies by public health officials or policy construction by government agencies, GIS is important for accurate and nuanced analysis and decision support. GIS has become important to any modern health care organization that wants to more efficiently examine information for better strategic directions and decisions. From the analysis of big data related to patient demographics and insurance claims to facility site location and accessibility to health care, GIS can play a critical role in improving the strategic business decision-making process of heath care organizations large and small.

Understanding the value of smart geospatial technologies in managing health resources, enhanced decision making, enhancing the efficiency of workflows, and improving the accessibility of information, an exclusive forum for health is being organized with the theme: "GEOHEALTH– "Mapping the Way to Healthy Communities" on 24th January as part of the Geospatial World Forum – 2017.

It is an ideal venue for the practicing planner, health and GIS professionals to learn about access to and availability of community and health data sources, integration of spatial information in planning, best practices in creating active and walkable communities, health/environmental impacts, disease prevention and the built environment, hazard/emergency management planning, spatial modelling and visualization and emerging/applied methods and technologies including crowd-sourcing health related data and other mobile applications. Creating synergy between the public health realm and urban and regional entities carrying out planning, research and policy will be an integrated theme of the conference.

Session I: Epidemic Early Warning & Monitoring Systems

Many of the world's major public health issues are sensitive to climate. Those that generate most attention are the vector-borne diseases – with malaria, cholera etc. Remote sensing plays a crucial role in mapping the spatial and temporal distribution of endemic diseases which are greatly influenced by seasonality and trends in climate, with periodic epidemics triggered by anomalies in rainfall, temperature, and humidity. The session will focus on understanding the role of geospatial tools and technologies in monitoring disease risks and catering to the challenges.

Session II: Breaking out GIS for Public Heath

The tremendous potential of GIS to benefit the health care industry is just now beginning to be realized. Both public and private sectors are developing innovative ways to harness the data integration and spatial visualization power of GIS. The session will highlight on the uses of GIS for child immunizations, conducting health policy research, and establishing service areas and districts.

Session III: Telemedicine and e-Health

Telemedicine applications play an increasingly important role in health care. The esteemed speakers will talk on the full spectrum of advances and clinical applications of telemedicine and management of electronic health records. The focus will be laid on the indispensable tools for home healthcare, remote patient monitoring, and disease management, not only for rural health and battlefield care, but also for nursing home, assisted living facilities, and maritime and aviation settings.

Target Audience

• Ministries & Department of Health from different countries
• Health Research Agencies
• Multilateral Agencies
• Industry Players
• Health Associations & Unions
• Health Universities & Colleges
• Consultants
• Policy Makers