Geospatial Needs for a Pandemic-Resilient World
Channel: National Academies - Earth and Life Studies
Date: 2020-06-22

Epidemics and pandemics such as the COVID-19 outbreak have clear geographic dimensions due to the vector spreading the virus (human contact), demographics and co-morbidity factors that vary geographically, the distributed and heterogeneous nature of health care systems, and the highly variable response and interventions from political authorities and the public-at-large.  The decline and shifts in human activity also affect broader social, economic and environmental systems to varying degrees.  Geospatial information can play vital roles in crafting effective government and societal responses at the operational, tactical and strategic levels.

This workshop explored the needs of federal agencies, organizations, and scientists for geospatial data science to understand and respond to epidemics/pandemics and developing infrastructure and policies that facilitate effective management and graceful recovery from these types of shocks.