Geographic information systems applied to health research areas

Abstract

The complete standardization of geographical quantitative methodologies in computing environment ended at the beginning of the XXI century. The using of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) present developments that synthesize core spatial analysis procedures.

In this context Geography of Health has been one of the research lines with the greatest potential for applications in the study of spatial distributions of population  characteristics, disease and offer services geared to the attention of the population. We present a comprehensive and updated overview of the relationship between Geographical Information Systems and Geography of Health as a framework for the presentation of different examples of results of a decade of work. The results support the decision making process in research, planning and management in spatial aspects of health.

Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Volumen 8, Número 1 Primavera, 2015; 395-410