Skip to main content
Image of a virus educational diagram

During the COVID-19 pandemic, maps have played a critical role in mounting an effective public health response. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology allowed local health officials to monitor the disease’s transmission, conduct contact tracing activities, target community resources, administer and manage vaccines, and communicate health implications to residents. Incorporating GIS into the public health emergency response solution has improved planning, response times, collaboration, and communication. GIS provides a data-driven decision-making tool that offers valuable insights for health officials.

As we reimagine preparedness in the era of COVID-19, there is an imperative need to improve awareness around the advantages of GIS as a critical tool for timely and effective public health responses.

Maximus Public Health has developed an interactive story map to share our lessons learned in using GIS tools to help build an effective emergency response strategy. It provides a high-level overview of how GIS can utilize foundational data sets, tools, and models to support public health preparedness and response prior to public health emergencies and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to explore the Innovative GIS Application.