Using Earth Observations within a Health Management Information System for Improving Malaria Decision Support

Researchers at the University of Alabama in Huntsville's (UAH) Information and Technology Systems Center (ITSC) in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NASA are currently modifying a widely used health management information system titled District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) to use NASA Earth observation data for improving malaria control decision making in sub-Saharan Africa. DHIS2 is the preferred health management information system in 60 countries across four continents worldwide including all sub-Saharan African countries with whom CDC works to control malaria. The incorporation of Earth observation data such as surface temperatures, precipitation, and vegetation health in conjunction with malaria disease information, at the health district and even health facility level, will provide disease control decision makers with an improved situational view needed to optimize targeting of interventions. The results of this project will serve to extend the use of NASA Earth observation products to a new health user community. Successful inclusion of Earth observation data with DHIS2 will be applicable to other NASA data products and other diseases monitored through this widely used platform.