Health Geography: concepts, approaches, and opportunities for public health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56116/cms.v65.n3.2025.2466Keywords:
geography, medical geography, Social Determinants of Health, Geographic Information SystemsAbstract
Health geography has evolved from a biomedical perspective focused on the physical space of disease to a perspective that integrates social, economic, and territorial variables. This paper explores the theoretical and practical concepts and contributions of geography to public health, highlighting the role of territory as a structural determinant and describing specific applications. The potential of geographic information systems as a strategic tool for territorialized and equitable public health is specifically discussed. Geography offers a theoretical framework and methods that better address the social determinants and guide the design of interventions and public policies.
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