Geographical information systems in health research and services delivery in the Philippines

Abstract

Accessible public data emanating from remote sensing from earth-observing satellites, as well as geographical information systems in general, are playing an increasing role in the public health sector in the Philippines. This paper reviews currently available systems in the country in this area, emphasizing the utility in complementing field studies with the development of disease models. The goal is to map out important biological threats by characterizing the niches infectious agents, and their vectors or intermediate hosts, occupy temporally and spatially.

Keywords

• The Philippines, geographical information system, remote sensing, epidemiology, mapping, public health, health service, health delivery.