title: Geographic information system for improving maternal and newborn health: recommendations for policy and programs.
abstract: This correspondence argues and offers recommendations for how Geographic Information System (GIS) applied to maternal and newborn health data could potentially be used as part of the broader efforts for ending preventable maternal and newborn mortality. These recommendations were generated from a technical consultation on reporting and mapping maternal deaths that was held in Washington, DC from January 12 to 13, 2015 and hosted by the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) global Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP). Approximately 72 participants from over 25 global health organizations, government agencies, donors, universities, and other groups participated in the meeting.The meeting placed emphases on how improved use of mapping could contribute to the post-2015 United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agenda in general and to contribute to better maternal and neonatal health outcomes in particular. Researchers and policy makers have been calling for more equitable improvement in Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH), specifically addressing hard-to-reach populations at sub-national levels. Data visualization using mapping and geospatial analyses play a significant role in addressing the emerging need for improved spatial investigation at subnational scale. This correspondence identifies key challenges and recommendations so GIS may be better applied to maternal health programs in resource poor settings. The challenges and recommendations are broadly grouped into three categories: ancillary geospatial and MNH data sources, technical and human resources needs and community participation.
authors.affiliation: USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/Save the Children, Washington, DC, USA. ymolla@savechildren.org.|USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/Save the Children, 14136 Grand Pre Rd #34, Silver Spring, MD, Zip: 20906, USA. ymolla@savechildren.org.
authors.forename: Yordanos B
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Molla
authors.affiliation: USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/Jhpiego, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rawlins
authors.affiliation: Geography Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.|Department of Surveying and Geomatics, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Prestige Tatenda
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Makanga
authors.affiliation: MEASURE Evaluation/John Snow Inc, Rosslyn, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan Eugenio Hernández
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ávila
authors.affiliation: Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Corrine Warren
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Ruktanonchai
authors.affiliation: MEASURE Evaluation/Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.|Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Global Health Fellows Program II, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alford
authors.affiliation: USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/Jhpiego, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/ John Snow Inc, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dwivedi
authors.affiliation: Global Health Fellows Program II, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Allisyn C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D014943:Global Health / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D000068104:Infant Health / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007391:International Cooperation; D063130:Maternal Death / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000068097:Maternal Health / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000068101:Maternal-Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D066087:Perinatal Death / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: GIS; Mapping; Maternal; Mortality; Newborn