Public Health Preparedness Solutions Using a GIS Strategy

Geographic information serves as the common denominator for any public health preparedness solution because location data is essential to every phase of planning, response, and recovery. GIS scales to events ranging from inclement weather conditions to pandemics. It helps state and local governments scope out the extent of a public health crisis and predict the path forward for allocating resources and monitoring processes and outcomes. Maps and apps enable public health officials to coordinate efforts with other agencies and external stakeholders. The public health preparedness community can make major inroads by embracing GIS data, models, communication and engagement hubs, and location-centric applications.

Resource allocation
Decision support
Communication & collaboration
Civic engagement

Resource allocation

A high-impact response and recovery plan requires the right resources in the right place at the right time. GIS can forecast surge and optimize resource allocation, so you can place resources precisely where they are most needed. Mapping and analysis can expose gaps in capacity, show at-risk populations' needs, aid in effectively distributing supplies, and inform personnel allocation. Location intelligence supports the distribution of resources where people and need intersect.

Decision support

The key to using location intelligence is to build it into the public health emergency preparedness plan. Prepare early for the data and analysis you will require in responding to a crisis, and draw on past events. Data-driven decision-making is about using authoritative data to answer fundamental questions at a moment's notice. GIS is crucial because so many questions hinge on location data.

Communication and collaboration

No matter how large or small the health response is, situational awareness is critical. Every health crisis requires support from a wide variety of disciplines, including public safety, human services, and health care. Those stakeholders need a common operational picture of what is happening and where so that they can communicate and collaborate effectively. GIS supports a range of communication and collaboration efforts.

Civic engagement

Civic engagement can take on many forms before, during, and after a natural disaster or health emergency response. Location provides context for an emergency response that offers a more intuitive approach for public engagement and risk communication. The more people understand the effects of a crisis in relation to where they live, work, and play, the more engaged they become. GIS can support community education through storytelling with maps, public notifications, and citizen input.

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Products and solutions for preparedness

ArcGIS Pro

The next generation desktop GIS supports data visualization, advanced analysis, and authoritative data maintenance.

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ArcGIS Online

This essential part of the Esri Geospatial Cloud allows you to connect people, locations, and data, using interactive maps, apps, and solutions.

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ArcGIS Survey123

Collect data via web or mobile devices, even without internet connection. Use the complete solution for creating, sharing, and analyzing surveys.

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ArcGIS Dashboards

Present data and analytics on an intuitive and interactive screen to visualize trends, monitor status in real time, and inform stakeholders.

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ArcGIS Community Analyst

Leverage demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic data to better understand community makeup.

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ArcGIS Spatial Analyst

This ArcGIS extension provides advanced spatial modeling and analysis tools to discover spatial patterns.

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Solutions for public health preparedness

Use enterprise solutions to help communities prepare, respond, recover, and mitigate against health emergencies.

Situational Awareness Viewer

Understand an incident's impact on public infrastructure and human populations with this solution.

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Public Health Preparedness

Resource allocation

Decision support

Communication and collaboration

Civic engagement

How do we equitably distribute the vaccine?

Health professionals need a seat at the table

Contact tracing initiative sets precedent

Contact tracing is making progress in Colorado

In the face of COVID, the GIS community responds

Products and solutions for preparedness

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Survey123

ArcGIS Dashboards

ArcGIS Community Analyst

ArcGIS Spatial Analyst

Solutions for public health preparedness

Situational Awareness Viewer

Health and human services focus areas

Humans in Crisis