Spatial Analysis

The analysis of spatial patterns of health and disease has been greatly enhanced by recent advances in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), global positioning systems (GPS) and spatial statistics. The Unit has an active research programme that uses GIS and spatial analysis in epidemiological research. Unit staff also coordinate the Schools GIS facilities and have worked with many other groups to examine how spatial methods can be used in public health research.

Projects that utilize spatial methods

Environment & Health

Air pollution & infant mortality

Air pollution & implanted cardiac defibrillators

Environmental determinants of physical exercise

The ASHRAM study of Arsenic and cancer risk

Warm Front evaluation

Weather & respiratory infections

Surveillance

European surveillance of congenital anomalies

Cryptosporidiosis in England

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis surveillance in Tunisia EMPHIS

Chagas disease in Columbia & Venezuela

Geographical Variations

Evaluation of the teenage pregnancy reduction strategy

Geographical variation in congenital malformations

London: our transport, our science, our health

Mapping access to healthy food in Sandwell

WHO Global atlas on traditional and complimentary medicine

Course and Training

The Unit is also responsible for running training courses in GIS, which are open to external applicants. For full details contact Chris Grundy (chris.grundy@lshtm.ac.uk).

2 day introduction to geographical information systems and the software ArcView.
This is an introduction to the basic principles of GIS The majority of the two days is spent using the software ArcView. The course is aimed at health professionals with no previous GIS experience and covers the main topics required to start using GIS in public health.
The course runs in February, July and August.

Longer term training in the use of spatial analysis in public health.
There are several options available for longer term training through research collaboration, visiting attachments or research degrees.

Associated Staff

Ben Armstrong	Reader, Statistics
Zaid Chalabi	Lecturer, Mathematical modelling
Chris Grundy	Lecturer, GIS
Shakoor Hajat	Lecturer, Statistics
Sari Kovats	Lecturer, Epidemiology
Giovanni Leonardi	Consultant in Public Health
Sam Pattenden	Lecturer, Statistics
Carolyn Stephens	Senior lecturer, Environmental health policy
Paul Wilkinson	Senior lecturer, Epidemiology