A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for understanding our world and applying geographic knowledge to solve problems and guide human behavior. GIS allows us to analyze, question, interpret and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports and charts.
The Health Surveillance and Analysis Unit of the Guilford County Department of Public Health utilizes GIS by mapping the occurrence of reportable diseases, vital records and other health data. Mapping the distribution of health outcomes in the county indicates where health problems are concentrated, and can contribute to better programmatic planning.
In 2008, the Health Surveillance and Analysis Unit produced the Health Status of Guilford County Map Databook, a 145-page document that presents major health events mapped at the Census tract, zip code, and municipality level. The Map Databook presents data such as demographics, leading causes of death, sexually-transmitted diseases, maternal and child health conditions, and injuries/violence. The Department of Public Health is very careful to protect the confidentiality of individual health data, so all maps display individual data aggregated at census tracts, zip codes and municipalities and are not shown as points by which a person’s identity might be deduced.
Below are the contents of the 2008 Map Databook. Clicking on each section heading will download that particular section in Adobe PDF format. In order to view PDF documents, you must have the latest Adobe Reader plug-in installed on your computer. If you do not have this plug in, you may download it from the Adobe website.
Map Databook Introduction and Table of Contents
Section I: Demographic Profile
Guilford Boundaries
Race & Ethnicity
Gender
Age Groups
Section II: Leading Causes of Death, Guilford County
Obesity-Related Diseases
Heart Disease
Cancer
Lung Cancer
Colon, Rectum and Anus Cancer
Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)
Atherosclerosis
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Pneumonia and Influenza
Kidney Diseases
Septicemia
Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis
All Other Causes of Death
Section III: Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Guilford County
HIV Disease
Syphilis
Gonorrhea
Section IV: Maternal and Child Health, Guilford County
All Births
Late or No Prenatal Care
Preterm Births
Low Birthweight Births
Very Low Birthweight Births
Infant Deaths
Section V: Injuries and Violence
Motor Vehicle Injuries
Homicide
Suicide
Falls
Poisonings
Fires
Drownings
Other Unintentional Injuries
Appendices
