Right around the corner is December 1st which is World AIDS Day. This day brings awareness and creates partnerships to combat the spread of the disease. This is a disease unlike any other. GIS provides leaders and public health professionals with a variety of tools and methods to track the spread of AIDS, determine populations at risk, develop programs, and monitor the success of targeted initiatives.
In addition to helping identify the need for intervention and education programs, GIS can also play a vital role in monitoring the effectiveness of programs. First, it can compare before and after conditions in relation to fund allocations, showing how a program has impacted a region or group. Second, mapping can help anticipate needs based on those changes and any changes in epidemiological information. Policy makers can use the results for evaluating redistribution of funds and/or programs.
For more information, please check out the World AIDS Day 2008 website.
Melissa Lawrence, Rutgers Student Intern, VERTICES, LLC
