Volunteered Geographic Information

In conjunction with my colleague Catherine Jones, soon to be of Portsmouth University, I am arranging a session at the coming years RGS-IBG 2010 annual conference. The session is jointly sponsored by the Geography of Health Research Group (GHRG) and the Quantitative Methods Research Group (QMRG) of the RGS. The details by way of a call for papers are:

The Spatial Dimensions of Health

Session Abstract

There is little doubt that geography and health are linked. Whether geography is considered in terms of the ‘geographies’ of individuals; communities and neighbourhoods; services and resources; or diseases- the linkage persists. In light of this, Gatrell and Elliot (2009) state ‘the subject of “health” is a rich source of material that bears study by the geographer’ (p.3). The importance of such study is highlighted by the steadfast presence of spatial disparities in health and healthcare nationally.

The intention of this session is to bring together research on the spatial dimensions of health, for the purpose of highlighting ongoing and nascent challenges within the diverse spectrum of health and health geography.

The session organisers invite proposals for papers that present empirical contributions within the spatial dimensions of health, ideally with focus on the UK. We welcome proposals that explore:

• The spatial dimensions of health inequalities and health behaviours
• Place, community and neighbourhood health and healthcare
• Spatial methods for developing health statistics
• Web 2.0 and health mapping

Reference
Gatrell, A. C. and Elliot, S. J. (2009) “Geographies of Health: An Introduction”, 2nd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, Chicester

Key Words: Health, behaviour, inequality, quantitative, space.

Deadline for submitting abstracts is Monday 1^st February 2010

Please send abstracts up to a maximum of 250 words and proposed titles (clearly stating name, institution, and contact details) to Daniel Lewis (d.lewis@ucl.ac.uk) and/or Catherine Jones (kate-emma.jones@ucl.ac.uk).

Details of the full call for papers here.