scholarly journals Using geographic information systems to inform the public health response to COVID‐19 and structural racism: The role of place‐based initiatives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Siegal ◽  
Haley Cooper ◽  
Tiffany Capers ◽  
Ryan P. Kilmer ◽  
James R. Cook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographic Information Systems ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Structural Racism ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response

New decade, new response: Altering the public health response to toxigenic cutaneous diphtheria

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
N C Marshall ◽  
M Baxi ◽  
C MacDonald ◽  
C Sikora ◽  
G J Tyrrell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Diphtheria Toxin ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Asymptomatic Carrier ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response

Abstract Background Classical diphtheria is a potentially fatal respiratory disease mediated by the diphtheria toxin of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Due to high vaccination rates against this toxin in Canada, the national incidence of respiratory diphtheria is near zero, and the toxin plays no recognized role in cutaneous diphtheria. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the diagnostic and public health benefits of diphtheria toxin testing and cutaneous diphtheria investigations in a highly vaccinated population. Methods Over the last 10 years, we retrospectively determined: the number of C. diphtheriae isolates identified in the province of Alberta, Canada; the disease state of each individual tested (disease vs asymptomatic carrier); the source (cutaneous vs respiratory); and the number of toxin tests performed. Results In 10 years, zero cases of respiratory diphtheria and three cases of toxigenic cutaneous diphtheria were identified. Despite zero cases of respiratory disease, diphtheria toxin testing significantly increased (p = 0.0001), with 86% of toxin tests performed on cutaneous isolates. Subsequent public health investigations of each case of toxigenic cutaneous diphtheria mandated the collection of 315 total specimens from 92 individuals, revealing low rates of C. diphtheriae colonization among contacts and no further cases. Conclusions This study challenges the value of reflexive diphtheria toxin testing in uncomplicated cutaneous diphtheria among highly vaccinated populations. Cutaneous diphtheria investigations demanded disproportionate public health and laboratory resources and demonstrated a discrepancy between toxin pathophysiology and disease. Therefore, we recommend stewarding diphtheria toxin tests for toxin-mediated disease forms and ensuring adequate vaccination. This approach would spare public health and laboratory resources by customizing responses around the role of the diphtheria toxin in each form of disease. Key messages Investigations for cutaneous diphtheria increased demand for toxin testing in Alberta, Canada, though the toxin plays no role in this form of disease. In populations with high vaccination rates against diphtheria toxoid, cutaneous diphtheria cases do not require additional laboratory testing for the presence of the diphtheria toxin.

scholarly journals Geographic Information Systems: Usability, Perception, and Preferences of Public Health Professionals

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Awatef Ahmed Ben Ramadan ◽  
Jeannette Jackson-Thompson ◽  
Suzanne Austin Boren
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographic Information Systems ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Gis Technology ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Field

Background: Analyzing and visualizing health-related databases using Geographic Information Systems (GISs) becomes essential in controlling many public health problems.Objectives: To explore the perception and preferences of public health professionals (PHPs) about the usability of GISs in public health fieldMethods: For this scoping review, the investigators searched Medline Ovid, PubMed, IEEE, Scopus, and GeoBase databases. A total of 105 articles were identified.  Nine articles met the inclusion criteria.Results: Iterative evaluations, training, and involvement of GIS end users are productive in GIS usability. More methodologies are needed to support the validity of GIS usability studies. The exchange of GIS technology impacts public health policy and research positively.Discussion: PHPs are aware of the use of GISs in the public health field, and the exchange of visualized health data in determining inequalities and inaccessibility issues.Conclusion: GISs are essential to control public health problems, if the related health datasets are analyzed carefully and if the mapping reports are extensively evaluated and interpreted. Keywords:  Geographic Information systems, GIS, Public Health, Usability 

Using a GIS and the American Community Survey to Address Community Health Problems

2011 ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
J.ane L. McCall ◽  
Amy K. Pasini ◽  
Richard B. Wait
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographic Information Systems ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Community Survey ◽  
American Community Survey ◽  
The Public ◽  
Community Data

This chapter describes two case studies that demonstrate how the technology of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be combined with community data to address healthcare problems. The purpose is to present a model that can be replicated by other hospitals or those with an interest in promoting the public health.

scholarly journals REMOTE SENSING, GIS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
HIROKl SUGIMORI
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographic Information Systems ◽  
Computer Technology ◽  
Disease Mapping ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Rs And Gis

The role of remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in public health is potentially great. As computer technology it continues to transform our ability to gather, analyze, and map health data, new roles for RS and GIS in public health may emerge. Keywords: Public Health, Disease Mapping

Quarantine in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and other Emerging Infectious Diseases

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (S4) ◽  
pp. 63-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Speakman ◽  
Fernando González-Martin ◽  
Tony Perez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Public Health Officials

SARS and monkeypox have given the public health community a unique opportunity to examine the use of quarantine measures. Until recently, the word “quarantine”was not used in polite conversation, and evoked unsavory images. The recent SARS epidemic illustrated the important role of quarantine and isolation as a public health response to communicable disease.As public health officials in Toronto began to take control of the SARS epidemic, a second wave of the disease (SARS II) emerged. In the first SARS epidemic, approximately 8,200 individuals were isolated. There were approximately 82 probable cases, 66 suspect cases, and 24 deaths. On May 22, 2003, SARS II emerged. In total, approximately 13,000 people were quarantined. SARS II saw the onset of difficult questions being asked about the control and spread of SARS.The province of Ontario establishes the public health policies and legislative framework for the entire province.

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