Applies spatial simulation models to represent attraction, segregation, individual entities, and processes of spread, focusing on contemporary problems in health and health care. The lecture component covers a range of topics, including a conceptual framework for health-related spatial modeling, landscape epidemiology models, disease diffusion models, health accessibility, individual health behavior, and location-allocation models of health services. The course also includes a lab component to provide students with hands-on experience in applying spatial modeling to real-world health care issues.
Students develop advanced skills in spatial modeling specifically tailored to health and health care applications. This course equips them with the ability to analyze and solve complex health-related geographic problems, making them valuable assets in public health, epidemiology, health services planning, and policy-making.
Spatial modeling is a critical tool in understanding and addressing health and health care challenges. This course prepares students to use GIS technology to model and analyze health phenomena, supporting informed decision-making and effective interventions. By understanding spatial dynamics in health, students can contribute to improving health outcomes and accessibility of health services.
The course encourages students to approach health-related spatial modeling with compassion and a commitment to promoting health and well-being, reflecting biblical principles of caring for the sick and vulnerable. By applying their skills to improve health outcomes, students can contribute to the biblical mission of healing and restoration.
This course equips students with the technical expertise to support mission-driven health projects. Whether it's modeling disease spread for better outbreak response or analyzing health service accessibility in underserved areas, students learn to use spatial modeling to make a positive impact on public health.
Students engage with case studies that highlight the importance of context in health-related spatial modeling. By understanding the specific social, economic, and environmental conditions affecting health, students learn to create models that are relevant and sensitive to local needs.
The course promotes an appreciation for diverse cultural perspectives in health. By incorporating examples from various cultural contexts, students learn to use spatial modeling to address health challenges globally, fostering intercultural collaboration and understanding.
With a strong emphasis on practical applications, the course provides students with hands-on experience in spatial modeling for health care. Through lab exercises and real-world projects, students develop practical skills that are immediately applicable in professional health contexts.
Through experiential learning, students gain a deep understanding of the role of spatial modeling in health care. This transformative experience equips them with the expertise needed to make significant contributions to public health, supporting both their professional and personal growth.
