期刊名称：ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
印刷版ISSN：2194-9042
电子版ISSN：2194-9050
出版年度：2002
卷号：XXXIV Part 1
出版社：Copernicus Publications
摘要：Satellite remote sensing for disease surveillance will play a major role in public health in the coming years. Although the ability to predict epidemic outbreaks is still limited by current research and technology, satellite remote sensing has the potential to become an important tool for assisting epidemiologists in locating areas where disease outbreaks are likely to occur. This will permit the optimization of resources and save lives, especially in developing countries where health related resources are limited and disease outbreaks have far-reaching social and economic consequences. In order to make satellite sensors reliable tools for epidemiological research, we need to improve upon the capabilities of the current sensors, which are providing data on key epidemiological variables. The most useful remote sensing systems for public health applications will require instruments which can integrate data and information among spectral, spatial and temporal characteristics of remotely-sensed images and disease vector profiles. The ultimate goal of an optimal sensor system, however, is to achieve the capability of using remote sensed data to monitor areas in real time and predict disease outbreaks so that effective preventive actions may be taken. This goal could be accomplished through the creation of a dedicated mission comprised of a collection of instruments and sensors tuned to acquire information directly related to the disease organisms, vectors, reservoirs, hosts, geographic specifications, and environmental variables associated with health problems. To take advantage of the intelligent space-based remote sensing systems potentially available by 2010 and beyond, we propose to initiate the process of selecting the ideal suite of measurements needed for the development of a dedicated Health and Environment satellite mission. The project will combine the flexibility and expertise in data management and product generation provided by the Center for Earth Observing and Space Research (CEOSR) in the George Mason University (GMU) and its long-standing relation with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).
