Open source GIS for public health and policy research

(1) Background: free, open source GIS options are increasingly available and user-friendly, allowing public health practitioners to conduct research and visually document spatial patterns in health. (2) Objective/purpose: This paper discusses the types of open source GIS software available, as well as the methodologies used in the presentation and visualization of health information. (3) Methods: This paper advances open source by surveying available software, spatial health data, and commonly used GIS functions that are of particular relevance to both public health experts and policy makers. (4) Results: The availability of health information, and related data, from federal agencies opens many avenues for presentation of disease patterns, correlates, and inequities through space and time, as well as the presentation of resource distribution and policy efficacy as related to health care. (5) Discussion/conclusions: As open source GIS software and spatial data become more accessible, public health practitioners and policy makers can more easily target specific health concerns and promote improvements in resource management.