I recently began research on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to learn their use in medicine and healthcare. In so doing, I have discovered fascinating ways others have been integrating large amounts of data into single interactive graphics, the GIS map. GIS is not new, it was called other things before the advent of its application with IT tools. In its early days, GIS was done with paper and pencil with layers of data displayed on transparent sheets that can be projected to see the overlay and interactions of different parameters on the topic under study. Today, with the expanse of technology tools, the same layers of datasets are digitized and provide an impressive multidimensional display or interactions that support decision making.
One such data set is presented on the following link ( http://www.gapminder.org/world/ ). It shows income of people in different countries against their life expectancy. It is the type of comparisons you can expect with today's GIS tools and a fascinating use of GIS mapping. You can select a country and follow individual income growth from 1900 to 2009.
More recently, the information needed to locate Osama bin Laden also involved the use of GIS mapping. An article recounting this is found at this link (http://www.nationaljournal.com/whitehouse/in-raid-on-bin-laden-little-known-geospatial-agency-played-vital-role-20110505?page=1). You should note the many data sets that were gathered to create the 'guide book' to locate bin Laden.
The key to success in GIS mapping is not in the technology, it is in the data selection, collection, sorting, and analysis. The data sets are also predetermined by the end use of the mapped information. The old maxim about data collection of garbage in and garbage out holds true.
The use of GIS mapping for human activities will only grow. It is such a powerful (and compelling) visual display of enumerable data points to show changes and trends. It provides the option to study the combinations of interactions and impact of different parameters around a specific subject. Nice!
© Baldwin H. Tom CMC
www.tbgroupconsultants.com
An interesting thing happened on my way to breakfast -- I was introduced to global health. In February, I was invited to the African Prayer Breakfast, a subset of the National Prayer Breakfast held each year for the past 68 years. I sat next to a pediatrician from Nigeria, who is a director of Global Health for the Washington, DC based Academy for Educational Development (AED). Between bites of scrambled eggs, we chatted about my former life as a medical researcher and interest in knowing more about global health. We set up time to meet later.
Posted by: how to grow taller naturally | April 16, 2012 at 02:40 PM
There is energy, excitement, and momentum to provide even more technology and applications in global health. Recently, I teamed with an Information Technology (IT) company to determine how to apply their products and services in the health IT arena for potential application in developing countries. Ahh! The challenge to become pioneers!
Posted by: how to grow taller naturally | April 17, 2012 at 04:58 AM