JOURNAL ARTICLE

From Hull-House Maps and Papers to Geographic Information System (GIS) Applications: A Systematic Review for Utilization of GIS in a Social Work Grand Challenge of Closing the Health Gap.

  • Published In: Health & Social Work, 2025, v. 50, n. 1. P. 7 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Sualp, Kenan; Yalim, Asli Cennet; Gammonley, Denise 3 of 3

Abstract

This article systematically reviews the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) methodologies in social work research aimed at addressing the grand challenge of closing the health gap, focusing on healthcare access and health disparities. Analyzing 51 studies from 2008 to 2023, it identifies five key themes: environmental impacts on health, community-based participatory research using GIS, risk factors and determinants of health, health disparities, and access to health and social services. The review highlights GIS’s role in mapping disparities, informing targeted interventions, and empowering communities through spatial data visualization, while noting its underutilization in social work compared to other fields. It also emphasizes the potential of advanced GIS techniques, such as predictive modeling, machine learning, and real-time applications, to enhance understanding and intervention strategies for health equity.

Additional Information

  • Source:Health & Social Work. 2025/02, Vol. 50, Issue 1, p7
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0360-7283
  • DOI:10.1093/hsw/hlae040
  • Accession Number:182770296
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Health & Social Work is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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