Kirk Dial

HSCI 273
Professor Sosa

GIS Assignment
1. What is GIS?
- GIS stands for Geographic information system. It uses computer and software to
explore the fundamental principle of geography. GIS is also used for (1) inventory, (2)
analyze, and (3) manage many aspects of the world.
- GIS would be used in solutions to problems, by being able to pinpoint the exact
location of anything in the world.
2. What examples did he use to demonstrate the use of GIS in health decision
making? What are the concerns about the data?
- Dr. Chetan Tiwari used diseases as examples. Some concerns about the data are that
the maps are not keeping up with the technology, if not careful about choice of unit, may
result in an entirely different looking map.
3. Explain three examples listed in this presentation about the use of GIS in
public health.
-1. Michael B. Elliot used GIS to represent the obesity trend in the U.S. He looked at the
(1) diabetes mortality rates, (2) then the locations of parks, (3) then locations of fast
food restaurants, and (4) then the grocery stores to determine why the obesity trend
seems to increase. Once he has gathered all the data he then combines all of the
different sets of maps and evaluates the possible issues as to why obesity has been
trending.
4. What is the most frequent occurring issue in this area? Why is this type of map
useful in public and community health?
-The most frequently occurring crime is theft. This type of map is useful in public and
community health because its a great tool to understand ones community more and to
be well aware of what may happen at any time when in that area.
5. What is the median household income? Why is this useful in public health/why
do we need to use median household income when we decide populations at risk
or in need of services?
- The median household income is $53,364 in 2012. Knowing the median household
income is useful for use in public health because since its the average of every
household within the county, it will make it easier for public health services to decide
whether a population is in need of service.

6. C. For someone who lived at the corner of W. 17th st and N. Perris what is the
distance for them to walk to the Stater Brothers store?
-2.5 miles.
Why would that be a difficult walk to the store?
-It would be a difficult walk because of the change in elevation, as well as, the strenuous
walk back home because of the potential weight of the groceries bought.
D. What are the common ads on both markets?
-Ads for Beer and EBT
E. What are the causes of those diseases from a social standpoint for
populations?
- The lack of markets available are what may be responsible for the diseases. Since
there are a scarce amount of markets, finding fresh, healthy foods would be difficult, so
many of the population may result to buying fast food, which in most cases are
unhealthy.
How would you make the association between death by ZIP code and the
availability of food in 92411?
- I would associate the deaths in ZIP code and the availability of food by the lack of
eating healthy foods. Consuming unhealthy foods, such as fast food and junk food,
takes a toll to ones body, and over time causes obesity, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart
disease, and many more diseases.

7. A. What is your walk score? B. Do you think your neighborhood is walkable

meaning conducive to walking? C. Give examples to provide specifics to support
your argument.
- My walk score is 18. Yes I believe that my neighborhood is walkable, California State
University, San Bernardino is big school and I walk from my dorm, I walk to my classes,
the food court, the library, and to the gym, and all locations are a pretty hefty distance
from my dorm.