We currently offer three self paced courses and two best practices resource documents to support researchers in health geomatics and use of specialized statistical software.

HGEO 101 | GIS and Epidemiology

This course provides an introduction to GIS and Epidemiology

 Topics covered include:

- Introduction to GIS platforms
- Components of GIS and Spatial Data
- Mapping Health Data Using GIS
- Information Sources and Data Structures

HGEO 102 | Spatial Epidemiology

This course provides an Introduction to Spatial Epidemiology.

Topics include:

- Introduction to Spatial Epidemiology
- Spatial Health and Covariate Data in BC
- Grouped Data & Ecological Study Design
- Postal Codes:The Basis of Spatial Exposure Assessment
- Spatial Exposure Assessment: Principles and Limitations
- Bias, Confounding & Exposure Misclassification
- Advanced Techniques in Spatial Epidemiology

HGEO 103 | Space Time Disease Surveillance

This course provides an introduction to Space-Time Disease Surveillance.

Topics include:

- Introduction & Basic Concepts
- Introduction to Surveillance
- Cluster Detection and Scan Statistics
- Data File Set-up and Getting Started
- Factors Affecting Space-Time Surveillance Methods

HGEO 104 | Introduction to Mapping Health Data

This resource document provides an overview of key analytical issues and best practices when mapping health data including:

  • Working with point data
  • Working with line data
  • Working with area data
  • Study area boundary and edge effects
  • Cartographic fundamentals

HGEO 105 | Introduction to Space Time Disease Surveillance Tools

This resource document provides a review of case studies using freely available space-time disease surveillance software. Software packages have been categorized based on the level of user expertise required to run them.

           ● Basic
                ▪CrimeStat

           ● Intermediate
                ▪SaTScan
                 ▪GeoSurveillance
                 ▪ClusterSeer

           ● Advanced
                 ▪R-Surveillance
                 ▪R-DCluster

HGEO 106 | Introduction to Applied Geospatial Skills for Spatial Epidemiology

Introduction to Applied Geospatial Skills for Spatial Epidemiology Course

This course provides pre-requisite skills for entrance into PHDA 04 Spatial Epidemiology and Outbreak Detection Course.

The goal of HGEO-106 is to help you gain confidence in working with GIS, especially as it pertains to key concepts in spatial epidemiology. The applied, hands-on focus provides you with a specialized learning experience of using GIS technology within a public health context. The course is focussed on the spatial nature of data, the tools and functions used to interact with spatial data, the relationships between spatial and non-spatial data, and the associated products that can be produced including maps, graphs, and statistics.  

Topics Covered include:

  • Exploratory Data Analysis
  • Spatial Exposure Assessment Tools
  • Spatial Autocorrelation Basics