GIS Commons¶
GIS Commons connects maps, stories and practical research guidance for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. Explore public GeOALS tools, learn how geographic information systems (GIS) work, and examine environmental exposures with attention to evidence, study design and data standards.
Start here¶
What GIS is, the ideas behind every map, and learning paths for advocates, clinic teams, researchers and data scientists.
Maps and videos¶
The ALS Clinic Advisor, the Glen Rouse ALS Legislative Viewer, the ALS Geospatial Hub, and a gallery of every video on the ALS Geospatial Hub channel with descriptions.
Esri toolbox¶
ArcGIS tools, Esri learning resources including StoryMaps, and training with GeOALS experts.
Standards and ontologies¶
How place, residential history and environmental context are represented in open standards, and the communities that maintain them.
Environmental mapping¶
Six ALS exposure examples, ways to examine them, environmental data sources and supporting research references.
Grant toolkit¶
Project ideas, expert-led training, adaptable proposal language, budget examples and letter templates for geographic research partnerships.
Who this site serves¶
- People living with ALS, caregivers and advocates who want to use the maps, understand what a map can and cannot show, or bring a map to a meeting with a legislator.
- Clinic teams and care organizations who want to see where care exists and where people travel far to reach it.
- Researchers in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases who want to add geography to a study and need methods and proposal language.
- Data scientists and informaticians who need the standards for location and environmental context.
- Funders who want to understand what geographic analysis adds to a portfolio.
Developed by Danielle Boyce, a member of the board at GeOALS. About GIS Commons.
Learn about GeoALS¶
GeoALS, its history and its people are described on the GeoALS website.