The Power of Geocoding

Program Description

The role of spatial analysis in local, state and regional public health has steadily increased over the last decade with the infusion of GIS software such as ESRI ArcGIS.  The Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) workshop is to provide an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specifically with a focus on applications to public health that will prepare you to feel comfortable communicating with other GIS users, view and query spatial data, and produce high quality digital maps in an applied learning environment to support public health decision making. This is an introductory level mapping workshop for novice Geographic Information Systems (GIS) user, applicable to all public health fields. Topics covered include navigating the ArcGIS software, basic mapping, development and processing of geographical datasets, basic mapping, geocoding and spatial data presentation to support decisions making, and geographical data presentation.

This is a Hands-on immersive workshop with ArcGIS, to prepare you to feel comfortable communicating with other GIS users, research spatial data, and produce high quality digital maps to support public health decision making.

Competencies

Participants will learn:

• Navigating ArcGIS software;
• Adding and querying spatial data;
• Census data downloading and mapping;
• Geocoding addresses;
• Communicating data with maps

Required knowledge/pre-requisites

A basic understanding of Microsoft excel, while not essential, is highly recommended.