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Geographic Information Systems

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Public Health Informatics and Information Systems

Part of the book series: Health Informatics ((HI))

Overview

Geographic information systems are powerful tools that can enable public health practitioners to analyze and visualize data. A system of computer hardware and software that allows users to input, analyze, and display geographic data, GIS permits the manipulation and display of both spatial and attribute data. GIS now exists at various levels, ranging from small-scale systems for individual users to enterprise-wide systems. The advent of Internet map servers and client-server applications has made GIS more widely available and accessible. However, users of GIS need to have the proper training in order to use such systems properly. They also need to be aware of the social/institutional issues that can influence GIS use. Finally, users need to be aware of the limitations in GIS software and in data sets, limitations that can, if ignored, result in reliance on incomplete and inaccurate data.

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Authors
  1. Carol L. Hanchette
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, University of Washington school of Public Health, Seattle, 98105, WA, USA

    Patrick W. O’Carroll M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P.M.

  2. Crystal Insights, Government Division of Metatomix, Inc., Waltham, MA, 02451, USA

    Laura H. Ripp R.N., M.B.A., M.P.H.

  3. Public Health Informatics Institute, Decatur, GA, 30030, USA

    William A. Yasnoff M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.M.I.

  4. Community Health Information Technology Alliance, Foundation for Health Care Quality, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA

    M. Elizabeth Ward R.N., M.N.

  5. Electronic Data Systems, Roswell, GA, 30075, USA

    Ernest L. Martin Ph.D., M.B.A., F.L.M.I.

  6. Truett-McConnell College, 30677, Watkinsville, GA, USA

    Ernest L. Martin Ph.D., M.B.A., F.L.M.I.

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© 2003 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Hanchette, C.L. (2003). Geographic Information Systems. In: O’Carroll, P.W., Ripp, L.H., Yasnoff, W.A., Ward, M.E., Martin, E.L. (eds) Public Health Informatics and Information Systems. Health Informatics. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-22745-8_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-22745-8_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-3018-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-22745-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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