subject: How Mapping Applications Help Promote Public Health Awareness [print this page] All of us exert every effort to keep our loved ones from getting sick. You do not need expensive prescription drugs or medicines. The tool that we are talking about is far greater than those. As soon as you learn how to use it, it will serve as your health guidance. The tool is none other than mapping.
Yes, even in promoting public health awareness, maps serve as guide for many public health organizations to protect communities against infectious diseases, early detection of virus, and so much more.
Environmental Health Mapping at Its Best
What makes health organizations successful in early detection of infection, penetration, intervention and quick response is studying the surrounding geography of the location first. Understanding geography means understanding how and where the disease spreads. This is easier when GIS mapping technology is utilized . Maps are interactive and can be shared with people in the organization from computer screens. By doing so, communication between departments becomes more convenient.
Public health organizations rely on mapping applications for intelligent decisions that would be best for the public. It is one of the most influential tools that offer timely solutions to particular health needs to the public. It provides visualized designs so tracking disease surveillance is more effective.
Maps are used by health organizations mainly because of different functions. The most prominent of which are:
- To promote public health awareness
- To disseminate accurate medical information to the public
- To discover the geographic locations of populations showing symptoms of disease
- To discover the geographic locations of populations that are at risk
- To identify the geographic locations for preventive measures
- To organize and set up field clinics
- To track medical suppliers
- To know the proximity of hospitals, health cares and even testing facilities
- To promote and distribute appropriate medical supplies
- To help control outbreak
Making health decisions based on geography is an intelligent thing to do. By understanding geographical maps they are able to provide timely warning systems as well as enhanced preparedness programs. With mapping applications, public health organizations become successful in promoting awareness to the public. After all, we all deserve to be healthy.
