Health professionals from around the world will gather in Chicago, Illinois, October 23-26, at the 2005 Esri Health GIS Conference to discuss the critical role GIS plays in health and human services. Speakers from the fields of public health practice, health care delivery and financing, academic health sciences, and health-related businesses will examine how they are using this powerful technology to improve health and the way it is delivered, financed, and evaluated.

Conference highlights will include discussions on the emerging field of clinical surveillance, as well as

• Tracking infectious diseases
• Identifying gaps in childhood immunizations
• Conducting market studies and documenting the health care needs of a community
• Managing the logistics of moving materials, equipment, supplies, and human resources
• Publishing health care information using maps and globes on the Internet
• Managing patient care environments and clinical resources in widely distributed hospitals and health care systems
• Locating the nearest health care facility or health care provider by consumers on the Web

Special features of the 2005 conference include a map and poster gallery with examples of the work being done by health organizations, an Academic Health Program Fair where attendees can talk to representatives from colleges and universities offering specialized training in GIS, and a GIS Solutions EXPO that will showcase Esri business partner solutions. Exhibitor sponsorships are also available.

For more information about the 2005 Esri Health GIS Conference, visit www.esri.com/hug or contact James Cox (tel.: 909-793-2853, ext. 1-2678; e-mail: jcox@esri.com).