Geospatial for Planetary Health

A brief video will introduce you the global health challenges and the role of geospatial technologies.

This unit explores the use of satellite data to address human health challenges. Through real-world examples, it covers topics such as heat stress, vector-borne diseases, and air pollution. The unit also offers an opportunity to analyze and visualize satellite data.

Unit Learning Outcomes

• Match health applications to appropriate satellite data sets 
• Perform simple visualization and analysis of satellite data using Python and Jupiter notebooks

In this unit, you will learn how to access and process Earth Observation (EO) data for your Planetary Health research. To this end, we are going to use the web Sentinel Hub Browser, which easily provides access to a huge catalog of satellite data.

Unit Learning Outcomes

• Indicate the main features of the Sentinel Hub Browser
• Access satellite data available in the Sentinel Hub Browser for your study area
• Visualize and download the satellite data to your needs

This unit explores the use of geographic information for mapping vector-borne diseases such as malaria. During this unit you will be introduced to malaria, the malaria cycle and the role the environment plays in disease risk. In this unit you will learn about different approaches that can be used to map malaria based on the data that is available. Each of the examples used addresses a different part of the malaria cycle.

Unit Learning Outcomes

• Recall the key factors influencing the transmission of malaria
• Recall the key factors in mapping malaria

In this unit, you’ll explore how agent-based models (ABMs) can be used to understand complex health systems and phenomena. You will discover how ABMs can help analyze the spread of diseases, assess healthcare interventions, and improve public health decision-making. Get ready to dive into the world of dynamic simulations and discover how ABMs can bring new insights to health research!

Unit Learning Outcomes

• Identify the main elements of an ABM
• Recognize when ABM models can be used within the health domain
• Execute an ABM model for Covid 19
• Retrieve useful information from an ABM Covid-19 model

This unit explores the use of geographic information for addressing inequalities in access to healthcare and health services. The unit provides an example of how to use geographic information to assess physical accessibility in three steps using different modes of transportation. In this case the bicycle, a common mode of transportation in The Netherlands.

Unit Learning Outcomes

• Recall the 7A's of Accessibility
• Recall the three steps involved in mapping physical accessibility to health services

This unit explores the use of geographic information and geospatial technologies for disaster-related health risks at different phases of a disaster within the disaster management cycle. During this unit you will be introduced to different disaster types and the health effects associated with disasters. You will learn about the role of geospatial information and technologies for addressing health during a disaster event.

Unit Learning Outcomes

• Recall the main health risks associated with disasters
• Recognize the key element in communicating health risks