In this lecture we were introduced to the field of Health Geography and the relationship between health and space. This was the second lecture on the specific uses of GIS in a particular discipline. The examples given in class were studies that showed the relationship between things like climate, elevation, and the distribution of malaria as well as more socio-demographic relationships like that of obesity and fast food restaurants. The examples highlighted the role of place in health geography and the effects the specific characteristics of an area can have on health.
A strong example of this are the relationships between health and impoverished areas. These neighbourhoods are generally located in more polluted areas of a city and have poor access to quality of life improving facilities. There have been concepts to address this issue through the concepts of space and its relationship to health such as the “walkable neighbourhood”. The concept attempts to build community and health through bringing people together on the streets and placing amenities within walking distance. The goal is to get people exercising through light walking and building social capital through interactions in neighbourhoods.