Learning Objectives: The development of information technology has qualitatively changed the work methods and objectives of the Albuquerque Environmental Health Department (AEHD). Our work processes has evolved from a reactive, “response to crises” approach to more of a proactive, “take action” approach. The technology evolved from automated word processing, to spreadsheets and databases, to geographic information system. The final step of this process is the integration of these automated applications into one seamless application or a Public Health Information System that will access data from any section or division, according to any health threat, or according to spatial relationships. Workshop attendees can expect to share AEHD’s experience in the following areas. · The goal of local environmental health departments is to protect the public health and one challenge is to determine the impact of contamination events on the health of the community. · In order to meet these goals, it is important to utilize all resources as efficiently as possible. A Public Health Information System will assist the department to assess and measure the effectiveness of programs and resources allocation. · One of the experiences common to local government is the need to organize data according to political boundaries. It often makes sense to display the workload of the department and the key issues that it faces according to the local governing boundaries. In this way, decision makers have a better understanding of how cuts will impact neighborhoods in their district and well as the impact to the City as a whole. Learning Objectives: Articulate the need to organize data on a departmental level that will assist in the need to assess and measure the effectiveness of programs. Identify the need to implement and integrate GIS technology to meet current program objectives. Apply the principles and techniques the Albuquerque Environmental Health Department used to construct their own health information system
Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Public Health
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Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None