This document discusses how geographic information systems (GIS) data and tools can help achieve the goals of the Global Health Initiative (GHI) principles. While GIS is a specific software, geography is a key element for supporting GHI. Adding geographic context to data through tools like GIS, Excel, or paper maps allows for a better understanding of who is doing what and where. Considering geography requires minimal effort but provides significant benefits, like more strategic coordination and evaluation of health programs. Overall, including geographic data can help achieve the aims of the GHI principles by encouraging country ownership and sustainability.

1. Achieving GHI principles with
GIS data and tools
John Spencer
MEASURE Evaluation
MEASURE GIS Working Group
April 27, 2011

2. Achieving GHI principles with
GIS data and tools
John Spencer
MEASURE Evaluation
MEASURE GIS Working Group
April 27, 2011

3. Not just about GIS
 GIS is a type of specific software

4. Achieving GHI principles with
spreadsheets and word
processors
John Spencer
MEASURE Evaluation
MEASURE GIS Working Group
April 27, 2011

5. Geography not GIS
 GIS is a tool to support geographic data and
analysis
 Including geographic data opens the door to a
better understanding of who is doing what,
where through tools such as:
 GIS
 Excel
 SPSS, Stata, Epi-Info
 Paper and Pencil

6. Geography

7. Geography
Geography is perhaps the most
important single data element for
supporting GHI principles

8. Not rocket
science
 Adding one
element (which
people are
interested in
anyway) makes it
possible to
accomplish a lot

9. Common Sense
 Foreign assistance costs are being constrained
 Reform within USAID
 Aid transparency initiatives
 Paris declaration
 Increasing geographic cognizance within USG
and in development community
 It’s easy to add geographic context

10. GHI Principles
 Implement a woman- and girl- centered approach
 Increase impact through strategic coordination and integration
 Strengthen and leverage key multilateral organizations, global health
partnerships and private sector engagement
 Encourage country ownership and invest in country led plans
 Build sustainability through health systems strengthening
 Improve metrics, monitoring and evaluation
 Promote research and innovation
Admirable goals, but how can they be achieved?

11. Back of the mind
 How do these innovations link to GHI Principles?
 Can they play a role in achieving GHI objectives
and implementing GHI Principles?

12. Summary
 Geographic context can help acheive GHI
principles
 Minimal burden to include geography, yet
considerable benefit
 Convergence of data infrastructure, policy and
technology

13. USAID-State Foreign Assistance Appropriations, Kenya
695.7
601.7 687.7 714.0
Millions of
dollars

14. MEASURE Evaluation is a MEASURE project funded by the
U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by
the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill in partnership with Futures Group International,
ICF Macro, John Snow, Inc., Management Sciences for Health,
and Tulane University. Views expressed in this presentation do not
necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the U.S. Government.
MEASURE Evaluation is the USAID Global Health Bureau's
primary vehicle for supporting improvements in monitoring and
evaluation in population, health and nutrition worldwide.