Organizations such as Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team and HealthMap are creating products using volunteer-provided local information and more to equip individuals and humanitarian efforts with tools that can be used to fight the spread of disease. Imagine being dropped in the middle of a place you have never visited. You must find your way to crucial meetings throughout town, but your … Read More
MODIS and Vector-Borne Diseases
Remote sensing via satellites enables us to survey the spatial-temporal patterns of vector-borne diseases in both near and distant places. In this article, MODIS imaging time series, in particular, are explored as an application to bolster surveillance and vector control programs.
Integrating Earth Observations to Support Malaria Risk Monitoring in the Amazon
An enhanced EO-derived information system can be applied to operational risk monitoring and early warning in the Amazon. B.F. Zaitchik1, B.J. Feingold2, D. Valle3, W.K. Pan2 1 Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University 2Nicholas School of the Environment and the Duke Global Health Initiative, Duke University 3University Program in Ecology, Duke University Malaria is a vector-borne disease that is … Read More
Pucker up: Kissing Bug Habitat Modeling with NASA Earth Observations
Project Team: Southeast Health and Air Quality Team Team Location: Mobile County Health Department (MCHD), Mobile, Alabama Authors: James Pickett, Project Lead (University of South Alabama) Shikher Mishra (University of South Alabama) Brandi Stewart (University of South Alabama) Mentors/Advisors: Dr. Kenton Ross (NASA DEVELOP National Science Advisor) Joe Spruce (Senior Research Scientist, Computer Sciences Corp.; Science Advisor) Dr. Bernard Eichold … Read More
Adeus, Aedes aegypti: Preparing Brazil for Dengue Fever Outbreaks
Project Team: Brazil Health and Air Quality Team Team Location: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California Authors: Lorena Lopez (California State University, Northridge) Scott Barron (University of California, Los Angeles) Elise Lorenzana (University of California, Los Angeles) Mentors/Advisors: Ben Holt (DEVELOP Mentor, Jet Propulsion Laboratory) Erika Podest (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) Darren Drewry (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) Abstract: Vector-borne diseases claim millions of … Read More
Validations of Precipitation Inundation Aberrations for African Nations
Project Team: East Africa Health and Air Quality Team Team Location: International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Palisades, New York Authors: Jerrod Lessel (California State University, Fresno) Andrew Kruczkiewicz (Columbia University) Mentors/Advisors: Dr. Pietro Ceccato (Lead Environmental Monitoring Program, International Research Institute for Climate and Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University) Past/Other Contributors: Alexandra Sweeney (Columbia University) Abstract: Recent … Read More
Twenty Buses a Day: The High Stakes Race to Create a Global Cholera Early Warning System
What infectious disease kills the most children under the age of five? If you guessed malaria or AIDS, guess again. Cholera claims more victims than either of those diseases. Now, a team of researchers are developing a method to provide early warning of cholera outbreaks. If successful, the effort could drastically reduce the number of cholera deaths.
Leveraging the Climate for Improved Malaria Control in Tanzania
This article introduces the latest tools and services piloted by the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA), with technical support from the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), in service to the national health community. A project called ÛÏEnhancing National Climate ServicesÛ (ENACTS) has been implemented in Tanzania with focus on users from the public health community.