The Instructional Innovations Lecture Series
“Introduction to Mapping Technology for Public Health”
William D. Henriques, PhD, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
Sponsored by
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University
The Emory University School of Medicine And The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing of Emory University
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based tools that analyze data based on location on the earth. These technologies are changing the way we see our world and have enhanced the ability to communicate complex health and environmental issues. This lecture is an introduction to GIS for public health and an overview of some of the ways CDC/ATSDR has used mapping technology to protect public health.
Commander William D. Henriques coordinates the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), where he has been a Commissioned Officer of the US Public Health Service since 1988. Bill received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Tulane University in New Orleans; and his Masters of Science in Public Health from Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in Environmental Health Sciences. In 1993, Bill was selected to participate in CDC/ATSDR’s long-term training program for his doctorate, and in May 1996 he received his PhD in Environmental Toxicology with and emphasis in GIS and computer modeling from Clemson University. Bill is very enthusiastic about sharing geographic data, and spends much of his time conducting lectures and developing training presentations and materials to assist health professionals in the uses of GIS technology for public health protection. One of the most recent products for ATSDR’s GIS program was a satellite broadcast on GIS for Health Professionals in May 2000. As the GIS contact for CDC/ATSDR’s terrorism preparedness and response activities, Dr. Henriques has also been very involved in providing mapping support for the World Trade Center disaster and CDC’s Anthrax response.
Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this lecture, participants should be able to:
1. Describe the basic principles ofgeographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis;
2. Locate resources for GIS applications in public health (on-line, multimedia, personnel);
3. Incorporate geographic concepts and spatial analysis techniques into their public health research topics; and,
4. Discuss emerging technologies that will make the sharing of information through maps easier and more powerful than every before.