Center for International Health (CIHLMU)
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  6. Introduction to Health Geographic Information System (GIS)

Introduction to Health Geographic Information System (GIS)

This course has been accredited by tropEd Network for Higher Education Institutions in International Health.

Next Dates: February 23-27, 2026

Course Language: English

Registration: TBA

Registration Deadline: TBA

Course credits: 3 ECTS

Costs: EUR 600  (Free for LMU enrolled students)

Location: Tuerkenstrasse 89, 80799 Munich, Germany

Requirement: a basic understanding of public health concepts and some familiarity with statistical methods (from Descriptives to simple linear regression)

Course Description

Participants will explore the fundamental principles of health geography and spatial epidemiology. Through lectures and practical exercises, they will understand the practical implications of GIS for health surveillance, disease outbreak prediction, and the optimization of health care delivery. Emphasis will be placed on data processing, visualization, and spatial analysis techniques, culminating in the creation and presentation of detailed health maps.

„Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere.“ (Longley PA et al., 2005)

Key Content Areas

  1. Theoretical Background: Delve into the significance, history, and evolution of health geography and the basics of spatial epidemiology.
  2. Use of GIS in Epidemiology and Health Care: Explore how GIS applications are instrumental in health surveillance, predicting disease outbreaks, and optimizing health care delivery.
  3. Quantitative Methods in Health Geography and Spatial Epidemiology: Become familiar with statistical tools for analyzing spatial patterns and associations.
  4. Presentation of Spatial Distribution: Understand and visualize the distribution of diseases, health determinants, and the geographical aspects of health care.
  5. Data Processing and Analysis in GIS: Engage in hands-on exercises in data collection, preparation, and spatial analysis using sample datasets.
  6. Creation and Presentation of Health Maps: Learn the art and science of map-making, with a focus on visualizing diverse health topics using GIS software.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Critically discuss the relationship between health and geography, including the spatial determinants of health.
  • Highlight and explain spatial disparities in health, emphasizing regional variances in disease prevalence and health care delivery.
  • Skillfully apply GPS methods to create detailed maps, displaying health indicators in specific areas.
  • Utilize GIS for spatial distribution and epidemiological analyses, navigating its basic functions effectively.
  • Analyze and discuss underlying challenges related to spatial data analysis, ensuring rigorous research and robust findings.

Target Audience

Public health professionals, epidemiologists, researchers, health policy planners, and anyone interested in the confluence of geography and health.

Registration

Registration is TBA

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations made before the registration deadline, a non-refundable fee of 100 EUR will be charged. For cancellations made after the registration deadline until the course start, a non-refundable fee of 300 EUR will be charged. In case of no-shows or cancellations from the start of the course, the full course fee will be charged.

Impressions from the last Course

From February 24th to 28th, 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting the Advanced Module in Health Geographic Information Systems (Health GIS), an intensive course designed to equip participants with advanced spatial analysis skills for health research and public health applications. This year, 12 participants took part in the module, including three external students from other TropEd institutions, fostering a diverse and enriching learning environment.

The course was led by Daniela Koller and Daniela Gessell, with additional support from Dinesh Timalsena, who guided participants through practical applications of GIS in health contexts. Through hands-on exercises, case studies, and interactive discussions, participants explored techniques for spatial data analysis, mapping, and the integration of geographic data into health research and decision-making.

The module was a great success, with participants praising both the content and teaching approach. Many highlighted the practical relevance of the course and its immediate applicability to their work. We are delighted by the positive feedback and remain committed to providing high-quality training in Health GIS to support global health research and policy.

Contact

For more info, contact the Teaching & Training Unit in Munich at ttu@lrz.uni-muenchen.de