Talking about Information Technology in the fields of environment education and human health as compared to other respective areas such as business, economics or culture and politics, provides a hand in improving the status.
With the growth of internet and technology, geographic information and data gets transmitted generating a higher affluence of the updated information on several aspects of environment and human health.
As several software created for environment and human health studies are available in the market, it makes it friendly for users and helps them learn each subject with ease. Let’s get into the article to understand the role of IT in environment and human health a little better.
Role of IT in Environment
Here are some important roles of IT in the space of environment studies and human health. Check it out.
1# Remote Sensing
A satellite-based technique used to assess the ongoing changes in the environment is called Remote Sensing. It helps in predicting natural calamities such as droughts, floods, cyclone or volcanic eruptions etc.
The Remote Sensing technique can also be used in exploring the availability of crude oils, mineral deposits and the location of geothermal power sources.
2# Compiling Database
Database refers to a collection of inter-related data on various subjects. While it is stored on a computer, it can be readily retrieved whenever required. In the United States, there are several Distribution Information Centers (DICs) which are linked to each other having a central information network accessible to international database as well.
Coming to comprehensive database, it includes topics like wildlife, forest cover, conservation as well as diseases such as malaria, fluorosis, HIV, AIDS etc.
3# Geographical Information System (GIS)
Proved to be a very effective tool in the assessment of environment changes, GIS is technique that imposes thematic maps using digital data on a large number of inter-related or inter-defendant aspects.
Thematic maps can contain data on aspects like water resources, forest land, soil type, crop land, industrial growth, human settlement etc. in a layered form using computer software.
Application–
- Useful for Land Use Planning
- Interprets polluted zones & degraded lands
- Provides information on atmosphere changes such as monsoon, ozone layer depletion, smog and inversion phenomenon
- Plans for locating areas for industrial growth using Zoning Atlas
- With the help of Remote Sensing, assesses resources, environment conservation and impact
4# National Management Information System (NMIS)
It is a part of the department of Science and Technology which has a compilation of database on projects based on Research and Development including information about research scientists and personnel involved.
5# Environment Information System (ENVIS)
Established in 1982, ENVIS aims at providing environmental information to policy makers, engineers and scientists across the world in order to generate a network database to examine areas such as pollution control, clean technologies, biodiversity, renewable resources, wildlife, environmental management and remote sensing technology.
The ENVIS network includes participation of several institutions forming a number of nodes and due to its compact network, it is now designed as the National Focal Point (NFP) for INFOTERRA, which is a global environment information network of United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
The network focuses on creating websites on environment related areas, establishing linkages with several information sources while creating a database on selected parameters and publish bulletins. It works as an interface for users reading upon this subject.
Objectives of ENVIS-
- Building a repository and dissemination center in Environmental Science & Engineering
- Enhancing modern technologies of processing, storage, acquiring, retrieval and dissemination of environmental information
- Promoting research, development and innovation in environmental information technology
- Providing national environment information in order to fulfil the future needs
Role of IT in Human Health
While information technology plays a huge role in human health areas such as bioinformatics, genome sequencing, biotechnology, gene engineering, maintaining DTA databases and online medical transcription in order to enhance the space of human health. It also works towards identifying several diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, HIV and more.
Understanding Bioinformatics helps in curing severe diseases such as osteoporosis and also helps in Human Genome Project by developing a computer program which focuses on genome sequencing. The aim of this project is to create maps of the entire set of genes in the human cell by decoding almost 3 billion units of human DNA. This is the power of information technology in the sector of human health.
6# Online Health-Related Information
The online information portal works as a vast quantum of information related to human health and environment subjects. If a patient wants to self-analyze himself, they can do it. If they wish to consult a doctor, they can also book a consultation online.
OSHA provides an online portal for employees to seek information on hazardous and non-hazardous activities at the workplace to make the employees aware and also provides safety measures to follow.
United States based company, M-Square, recently started Home Medical Transcription System called HomeTrans, which allows the patient to seek online medical service sitting at home. Any person with a computer, phone, helpline number, voice script software or internet can operate medical transcription.
7# World Wide Web
With unlimited accessible data available on the world wide web (www), it has now become one of the largest online learning centers to read, understand, learn and act upon using this power web which aims at providing current information on areas related to human health and environment science.
It has made available several activities, digital files, photos, web-exercises, presentations, and quizzes related to the above-mentioned areas which results in helping today’s students, teachers as well as professionals working in these fields to pursue environmental and health studies.
Conclusion
As you can see, Information Technology is rapidly growing in every sector of development especially in the Environment and Human Health space with increasing applications and providing new avenues with an effective role in education, management and planning in these fields.
Hope this article helped you understand the Role of IT in the Human Health and Environment sector in-depth!
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