ABSTRACT
Public health by its nature covers a wide field ranging from scientific and technical issues to sociological aspects, accountability of government agencies, and empowerment of populations. This book has focused on aspects of public health in which the spatial dimension is a particularly important element, hence the sections on communicable disease control and environmental health and healthcare planning and policy. Section 1 described some of the methodological aspects of GIS underpinning applications in these areas of work, highlighting progress and new developments. Section 4 on data protection and E-governance issues has addressed broader policy-related, societal, and developmental issues that have a direct impact on the spatial aspects of public health work. These issues also impact on the scope for, and desirability of, further integration of GIS within the public health field.
