Hello Everybody,
Mark your calendars for another Unidata webcast seminar. See the
following URL for tuning into the Webcast.
http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/community/seminars/
Abstract:
A prototype Earth-gauging system integrating weather and health data to
manage meningitis
Raj Pandya, UCAR
Monday, 8 December 2008, 1:30 PM MST
Unidata Conference Room, FL4, 1318
Abstract
The overarching goal of this seminar is to describe efforts to save
lives and enhance livelihoods in Ghana through integration of health and
environmental data, and by using that data in service of health-related
decision-making. Specifically, we aim to build and implement prototype
decision-support system that integrates two- to 14-day weather forecasts
and epidemiological data to provide actionable information that can be
used to contain the spread of meningitis epidemics. By applying a
preliminary economic evaluation of this decision support system, we will
be able assess the potential benefit of using environmental data to
improve public health outcomes, help prioritize continuing investment in
meningitis management in Ghana and throughout the Meningitis Belt, and
determine the appropriateness of extending the prototype to other
diseases, nations, and continents.
This effort is a small piece of an overall Google.org effort to develop
an /Earth-gauging System /that will integrate environmental, health and
development data into products that stakeholders and researchers can use
to monitor variables, analyze trends and identify relationships among
different variables. The /Earth-gauging System /will support the
prediction of emerging threats, and provide the basis for an robust
early-warning system that will improve health, food security, and
development and conservation outcomes.
--
Linda Miller - lmiller@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Community Services, Unidata
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000
303-497-8646 fax: 303-497-8690
