EXPERT OPINION
Three Ways GIS Can Modernize Health Infrastructure for Smart Cities As leaders across the spectrum aim to build more resilient and equitable communities, it’s not just transit and water systems that need upgrading. The infrastructure of our public health and healthcare systems also must be modernized. By Este Geraghty
16 | www.geospatialworld.net | September-October 2022
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mart cities are taking a geographic approach to health—using maps, AI, and sensors to understand the needs of their communities, allocate essential resources, and streamline operations. And many federal, state, and local public health agencies as well as clinical providers of healthcare are integrating geographic information systems (GIS) into their infrastructures. So, how are these organizations benefiting from the location intelligence GIS technology delivers? •
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Maps are providing geographic context to healthcare practitioners, allowing them to understand the makeup and needs of communities and deliver more equitable care. Public health officials use spatial analysis and predictive modeling to plan and prioritize where and when to allocate resources. Hospital staff are using indoor mapping and wayfinding to automate and improve patient care while making operations more efficient.
