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survey - target
Since this study specifically focuses on a spatial aspect of health data (i.e. a transformation that disassociates an individual from his or her real geographic location), the target public health community for this survey was all public health professionals who utilize or could benefit from such data. Ideally, since this is a fundamental component of epidemiology, all epidemiologists and public health professionals should be targeted. Unfortunately, this particular aspect of the epidemiological triad is often neglected, and therefore not effectively utilized (perhaps due to privacy issues!).
While a wide net was cast in an attempt to capture as many public health professionals as possible (target population), special emphasis was placed on capturing those engaged in or familiar with spatial-temporal research (specialised sub-population). This included government, non-government and academic GIS (Geographic Information Systems) labs and research groups involved in public health, as well as public health units (Canada), ministries, and observatories (UK) with a GIS team or spatial-analytical activity.
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