Epidemiology GIS Programs:

Epidemiological GIS Needs: Cost Cost Software Compatibility Software Compatibility Capabilities Capabilities GeocodingGeocoding MappingMapping DatabaseDatabase Statistical AnalysisStatistical Analysis Support Support

ArcGIS Industry-leading GIS Software Industry-leading GIS Software Complete GIS system which allows for data importing, editing, and updating Complete GIS system which allows for data importing, editing, and updating Designed for use with shapefiles and geodatabases Designed for use with shapefiles and geodatabases Compatible with most GIS data formats Compatible with most GIS data formats Foundation for most cutting-edge GIS systems Foundation for most cutting-edge GIS systems

Applications for Epidemiology Extensive Geocoding Capabilities Extensive Geocoding Capabilities Essential for the processing of address data Essential for the processing of address data Extensive Database Capabilities Extensive Database Capabilities Allows for cohesive data sets among widespread departmentsAllows for cohesive data sets among widespread departments Fluid Spatial Analysis Fluid Spatial Analysis Choropleth mapping, buffering, distance measuring, etc.Choropleth mapping, buffering, distance measuring, etc. Internet Applications Internet Applications ArcWeb services allow for receipt, spread, and collection of data through the internet.ArcWeb services allow for receipt, spread, and collection of data through the internet.

Positives ArcGIS is very capable of working with enterprise wide systems. ArcGIS is very capable of working with enterprise wide systems. ArcGIS has the most robust set of analytical capabilities. ArcGIS has the most robust set of analytical capabilities. Industry Standard technology Industry Standard technology Already in place for many compatible agencies Already in place for many compatible agencies

Negatives Prohibitive Cost (roughly $1,500 though discounts are possible) Prohibitive Cost (roughly $1,500 though discounts are possible) Possible added licensing costs Possible added licensing costs Requires Extensive Training Requires Extensive Training Potentially more extensive package than necessary Potentially more extensive package than necessary

Epi Info Maximum compatibility with industry standards, including: Maximum compatibility with industry standards, including: Microsoft Access and other SQL and ODBC databasesMicrosoft Access and other SQL and ODBC databases Visual Basic, Version 6Visual Basic, Version 6 World Wide Web browsers and HTMLWorld Wide Web browsers and HTML Epi Tools: Epi Tools: Epi Report, a tool that allows the user to combine Analysis output, Enter data and any data contained in Access or SQL Server and present it in a professional format. The generated reports can be saved as HTML files for easy distribution or web publishing.Epi Report, a tool that allows the user to combine Analysis output, Enter data and any data contained in Access or SQL Server and present it in a professional format. The generated reports can be saved as HTML files for easy distribution or web publishing. Epi Map, an ArcView®-compatible GISEpi Map, an ArcView®-compatible GIS NutStat, a nutrition anthropometry program that calculates percentiles and z- scores using either the 2000 CDC or the 1978 CDC/WHO growth referenceNutStat, a nutrition anthropometry program that calculates percentiles and z- scores using either the 2000 CDC or the 1978 CDC/WHO growth reference Logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis Logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis Data Compare Data Compare double data entry comparisondouble data entry comparison Epi Lock password protects, encrypts, and compresses Epi Info™ data Epi Lock password protects, encrypts, and compresses Epi Info™ data Teaching exercises Teaching exercises Training ModulesTraining Modules Entirely new, not just a “port“of Epi Info™ for DOS Entirely new, not just a “port“of Epi Info™ for DOS Allows analysis and import of other file types Allows analysis and import of other file types “What Is Epi Info™?”.

Epi Info Epi Info™ is a public domain software package designed for the global community of public health practitioners and researchers. Epi Info™ is a public domain software package designed for the global community of public health practitioners and researchers. Although “Epi Info™” is a CDC trademark, the programs, documentation, and teaching materials are in the public domain and may be freely copied, distributed, and translated. Although “Epi Info™” is a CDC trademark, the programs, documentation, and teaching materials are in the public domain and may be freely copied, distributed, and translated. Epi Info™ Around the World A 2003 analysis documented 1,000,000 downloads of Epi Info™ from over 180 countries. The DOS manual and/or programs have been translated from English into 13 additional languages. Epi Info™ Around the World A 2003 analysis documented 1,000,000 downloads of Epi Info™ from over 180 countries. The DOS manual and/or programs have been translated from English into 13 additional languages. Latest Release Epi Info™, Version Latest Release Epi Info™, Version “About Epi Info”.

Epi Info Continued… The primary applications within EpiInfo are: The primary applications within EpiInfo are: MakeView - a program for creating forms and questionnaires which automatically creates a databaseMakeView - a program for creating forms and questionnaires which automatically creates a database Enter - a program for using the forms and questionnaires created in MakeView to enter data into the databaseEnter - a program for using the forms and questionnaires created in MakeView to enter data into the database Analysis - a program for producing statistical analyses of data, report output and graphsAnalysis - a program for producing statistical analyses of data, report output and graphs EpiMap - a program for creating GIS maps and overlaying survey data on to themEpiMap - a program for creating GIS maps and overlaying survey data on to them Epi Report - a tool that allows the user to combine Analysis output, Enter data and any data contained in Access or SQL Server and present it in a professional format. The generated reports can be saved as HTML files for easy distribution or web publishing.Epi Report - a tool that allows the user to combine Analysis output, Enter data and any data contained in Access or SQL Server and present it in a professional format. The generated reports can be saved as HTML files for easy distribution or web publishing. “About Epi Info”.

The CDC’s Program The CDC uses a program called Epi Info The CDC uses a program called Epi Info With Epi Info™ and a personal computer, epidemiologists and other public health and medical professionals can rapidly develop a questionnaire or form, customize the data entry process, and enter and analyze data. With Epi Info™ and a personal computer, epidemiologists and other public health and medical professionals can rapidly develop a questionnaire or form, customize the data entry process, and enter and analyze data. Epidemiologic statistics, tables, graphs, and maps are produced with simple commands such as READ, FREQ, LIST, TABLES, GRAPH, and MAP. Epidemiologic statistics, tables, graphs, and maps are produced with simple commands such as READ, FREQ, LIST, TABLES, GRAPH, and MAP. Additonally, the program Epi Map displays geographic maps with data from Epi Info™. Additonally, the program Epi Map displays geographic maps with data from Epi Info™. The new version, Epi Info™ for Windows retains many features of the familiar Epi Info™ for DOS, while offering Windows ease of use strengths such as point-and-click commands, graphics, fonts, and printing. The new version, Epi Info™ for Windows retains many features of the familiar Epi Info™ for DOS, while offering Windows ease of use strengths such as point-and-click commands, graphics, fonts, and printing. “What Is Epi Info™?”.

Epi Info is a desk top application that provides tools for Epidemiology: Epi Info is a desk top application that provides tools for Epidemiology: supporting the analysis of public health data with: maps, charts, and statistical algorithms, merging data from different sources developing your own surveys for data collection and custom map shape files. “About Epi Info”.

Epi Map Epi Map, the mapping component of Epi Info™ are built around MapObjects software from ESRI, Epi Map, the mapping component of Epi Info™ are built around MapObjects software from ESRI, Epi Map displays shapefiles from ArcView and ArcInfo, and uses the enormous reservoir of map boundaries and geographic data available on the Internet in ESRI-compatible formats. Epi Map displays shapefiles from ArcView and ArcInfo, and uses the enormous reservoir of map boundaries and geographic data available on the Internet in ESRI-compatible formats. Epi Map is designed to show data from Epi Info™ files by relating data fields to shapefiles containing the geographic boundaries. Epi Map is designed to show data from Epi Info™ files by relating data fields to shapefiles containing the geographic boundaries. Shapefiles can also contain data on population or other variables, and can therefore provide numeric data that becomes part of the display as either a numerator or a denominator. Numeric data can be displayed either as color/pattern (choropleth) maps or as dot density maps with the dots randomly distributed within geographic regions. “Getting Started with Epi Map”.

Provides easy form and database construction, data entry, and analysis with epidemiologic statistics, maps, and graphs. Provides easy form and database construction, data entry, and analysis with epidemiologic statistics, maps, and graphs.

CDC Wonder CDC WONDER is a easy-to-use, menu- driven system that makes the information resources of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) available to public health professionals and the public. CDC WONDER is a easy-to-use, menu- driven system that makes the information resources of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) available to public health professionals and the public. It therefore, provides access to a wide array of public health information.It therefore, provides access to a wide array of public health information. “What is CDC WONDER?”.

World Health Organization Several Options: Several Options: HealthMapperHealthMapper Sig-Epi (PAHO)Sig-Epi (PAHO) Global Health AtlasGlobal Health Atlas

HealthMapper Created by the WHO in 1993 Created by the WHO in 1993 Goal is to provide users with an easy to use, ready made, standardized, digital database containing essential information for epidemiological needs. Goal is to provide users with an easy to use, ready made, standardized, digital database containing essential information for epidemiological needs. 3 main components: 3 main components: Core Geographic DatabaseCore Geographic Database Constantly updated, globally cooperative project Constantly updated, globally cooperative project Data Manager ApplicationData Manager Application Mapping InterfaceMapping Interface Basic Functionality Basic Functionality Built on MapObjects engine, so easy interoperability with ESRI products. Built on MapObjects engine, so easy interoperability with ESRI products. Majority of current data is for Africa and SE Asia, though system can easily accept new data from a global to low level administrative extent Majority of current data is for Africa and SE Asia, though system can easily accept new data from a global to low level administrative extent

Sig-Epi Developed by the Pan American Health Organization, a regional office of the WHO in 1995 Developed by the Pan American Health Organization, a regional office of the WHO in 1995 Built to supply a lower cost alternative to other comercial products, and to answer: Built to supply a lower cost alternative to other comercial products, and to answer: An insufficiency of epidemiological and public health analysis tools in GIS Software packages.An insufficiency of epidemiological and public health analysis tools in GIS Software packages. A lack of integration between statistical and epidemiological programs and GISA lack of integration between statistical and epidemiological programs and GIS Can work with several types of information display formats: Projects, Maps, Tables, Graphs, Results, Presentations Can work with several types of information display formats: Projects, Maps, Tables, Graphs, Results, Presentations Data formats supported: Shapefiles, ArcInfo coverage formats, Vector Product Format (VPF); CAD, EpiMap Data formats supported: Shapefiles, ArcInfo coverage formats, Vector Product Format (VPF); CAD, EpiMap This system also uses a RDBMS that can combine db formats like.xls, btrieve, and Data sets produced from Epi-Info, and ESRI products. This system also uses a RDBMS that can combine db formats like.xls, btrieve, and Data sets produced from Epi-Info, and ESRI products. Advantages: Advantages: Can input data from handheld GPS receivers directly into the system.Can input data from handheld GPS receivers directly into the system. System offers capability to produce detailed statistical analysisSystem offers capability to produce detailed statistical analysis Built on ESRI’s Map ObjectsBuilt on ESRI’s Map Objects Disadvantages: Disadvantages: Somewhat limited in its editing capabilities in terms of editing and integrating databasesSomewhat limited in its editing capabilities in terms of editing and integrating databases Also limited in technical support as it does not have a dedicated support crew.Also limited in technical support as it does not have a dedicated support crew. Cost. Cost ranges from $100 for Health and Academic Institutions, to $1000 for Personal and Private Agencies.Cost. Cost ranges from $100 for Health and Academic Institutions, to $1000 for Personal and Private Agencies.

Global Health Atlas Built by the WHO Built by the WHO Integrated within the organization's web site. Integrated within the organization's web site. Comprises several databases all maintained by the WHO for tracking communicable diseases. Comprises several databases all maintained by the WHO for tracking communicable diseases. Allows users to: Allows users to: Query the databasesQuery the databases Produce MapsProduce Maps Generate ReportsGenerate Reports This system is free to use, but is very limited in its capabilities. The Global Health Atlas is best used as a way to quickly evaluate existing data to determine areas that need further analysis. This system is free to use, but is very limited in its capabilities. The Global Health Atlas is best used as a way to quickly evaluate existing data to determine areas that need further analysis.

In Conclusion: Enterprise wide systems Enterprise wide systems ESRIESRI Need Intensive Mapping but limited Funds Need Intensive Mapping but limited Funds SigEpiSigEpi Don’t need intensive mapping but need an extensive research database Don’t need intensive mapping but need an extensive research database Epi Info or HealthMapperEpi Info or HealthMapper

References: “About Epi Info”. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. United States. 20 October “About Epi Info”. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. United States. 20 October Dean, Andrew G. “Introduction to Epi Info for Windows”. EpiInformatics. 23 October Dean, Andrew G. “Introduction to Epi Info for Windows”. EpiInformatics. 23 October “Getting Started with Epi Map”. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Public Health Informatics. Version 2.0. October October “Getting Started with Epi Map”. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Public Health Informatics. Version 2.0. October October “Key Events in the History of Epi Info”. Epi Info™ Museum. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. United States. 20 October “Key Events in the History of Epi Info”. Epi Info™ Museum. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. United States. 20 October “What is CDC WONDER?”. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology Program Office. Division of Public Health Surveillance and Informatics. 15th October “What is CDC WONDER?”. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology Program Office. Division of Public Health Surveillance and Informatics. 15th October “What Is Epi Info™?”. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. United States. 20 October “What Is Epi Info™?”. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. United States. 20 October “GIS Helps Nebraska Tackle Flu Vaccine Shortage” Nebraska Health and Human Services, ESRI “GIS Helps Nebraska Tackle Flu Vaccine Shortage” Nebraska Health and Human Services, ESRI “Tracking SARS in China With GIS” Tsui, Paul. July 22, “Tracking SARS in China With GIS” Tsui, Paul. July 22, “GIS Empowers Emergency Response and Public Health Awareness” South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, ESRI, Schoulz, Jared “GIS Empowers Emergency Response and Public Health Awareness” South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, ESRI, Schoulz, Jared “Disease Mapping and Spatial Epidemiology Using GIS” – Shabuya, Shinjy Fall “Disease Mapping and Spatial Epidemiology Using GIS” – Shabuya, Shinjy Fall World Health Organization: “Public Health Mapping and GIS Programme” World Health Organization: “Public Health Mapping and GIS Programme” “SIGEpi: Geographic Information System in Epidemiology and Public Health” – Epidemiological Bulletin, Vol. 22 No. 3, September “SIGEpi: Geographic Information System in Epidemiology and Public Health” – Epidemiological Bulletin, Vol. 22 No. 3, September