A geographic information system for local public health policy

This book deals with the development and use of a geographic information system for local public health policy. Health differences between populations in different geographical areas, large (countries) or small (city-neighbourhoods) have always been a challenge to epidemiologists and policy makers. To epidemiologists, these differences can give insight into the health effects of certain exposures, for policy makers these differences can give rise to welltargeted interventions. Making epidemiological knowledge available to and suitable for policy makers is a major task of the Municipal Health Service. A description of the health situation by means of a community diagnosis can accommodate the requirements of the local politicians. However, it is necessary that a community diagnosis is provided not only for the total municipality, but also for separate districts and neighbourhoods. For this purpose the Municipal Health Service in Rotterdam started the development of a geographic information system. Three questions form a central part in this study: 1. Is it possible to set up a geographic information system, in order to obtain insight into the health situation in neighbourhoods? 2. Can such a geographic information system be used for epidemiological research? 3. Can such a geographic information system be used for developing and supporting local health policy? In the first part of the study attention is focused on recent developments in health policy, the concept of a community diagnosis and the potentials of geographic information systems for local health policy. In the second part of the study the theory is worked out for the situation in Rotterdam

The development of alcohol consumption and problem drinking in Rotterdam 1980-1994: more problem drinking amongst the young and the middle aged

In 1980/1981 and in 1994, two surveys on problem drinking were conducted in the city of Rotterdam. This article presents data on changes in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems between 1981 and 1994. Special attention has been paid to possible shifts in groups at risk and to shifts in the kind of problems experienced. It was found that, in 1994, compared to 1981, problem drinking had become more prevalent amongst the young and the middle aged