Towards Web-based representation and processing of health information

Area of Science:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Public Health
• Health Informatics and Data Standards
• Web-based Geospatial Analysis

Background:

• Growing concerns in health surveillance due to environmental degradation, urbanization, and population changes.
• The internet facilitates health information sharing, but complex health issues require advanced software and standardized data.
• Web-based mapping is crucial for understanding spatial health risks, but lacks standardized formats for diverse health indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a standardized format for representing health information for web mapping applications.
• To address the need for flexible online processing and mapping of health data.
• To enhance the accessibility and interpretability of spatial health data for various stakeholders.

Main Methods:

• Design of a HEalth Representation XML (HERXML) schema incorporating semantic, geometric, and cartographical data representations.
• Development of a web application and services within the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) framework.
• Integration of HERXML with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) services for online data processing and mapping.

Main Results:

• Successful development of HERXML schema for comprehensive health data representation.
• Facilitation of online processing, mapping, and sharing of health information through a case study.
• Demonstration of improved health data representation and initial exploration of web-based health information processing.

Conclusions:

• HERXML is an effective solution for web representation of health information, supporting disease etiology, planning, and education.
• Web-based processing services offer flexible options for health data analysis and mapping.
• The research enhances access to geospatial and health data, promoting public health understanding and CGDI growth.