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Canadian researchers has designed a Health Representation XML (HERXML) which can support web based sharing of health information, according to a study published in the International Journal of Health Geographics.

Web based mapping is now emerging as a novel method of sharing health information. It enables sharing of health information among physicians, health policy makers, researchers as well as the public. It helps to understand population health trends; spatial health risks etc and allow the users to interpret statistical results. But there is no standard format for representation of health information that can accommodate the fixed as well as variable determinants of health like location, gender, age etc.

The authors attempted to address this need by using XML to design a Health Representation XML (HERXML) schema. XML can support information interchange and representation through the Web and has numerous advantages like platform and application independence, extensibility, user-driven development and an open standard for data interchange via the Internet. The HERXML consists of the semantic, geometric, and cartographical representations of health data. Semantic representation describes the health related activities, data sources, and the statistical methods used. Geometric dimension shows what type of geometry (point, line, and polygon) will be used to represent these health data. Graphic representation defines what styles or symbols are used to generate health maps.

A case study has been carried on the development of web application and services within the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) framework for community health programs of the New Brunswick Lung Association. This study facilitated the online processing, mapping and sharing of health information, with the use of HERXML and Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) services. The Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) support online access to location-based information for analyzing and monitoring public health which can help to make necessary interventions on health issues and proper utilisation of health resources. The health data for this study included four kinds of respiratory disease data (Asthma, COPD, Influenza, and Cancer) collected by the New Brunswick Lung Association.

The study proved that HERXML is a suitable solution in supporting the Web representation of health information. It can be used by health practitioners, policy makers, and the public in disease aetiology, health planning, health resource management, health promotion and health education. The HERXML can be shared by users through the Web through email, web sites, web forums, and web services regardless of platform or system. Thus, health information can be easily represented and shared while keeping the secret of raw health information. If the users are interested in the detailed health information, they can contact the data source manager.

Source: International Journal of Health Geographics