Introduction
The Respiratory & Environmental Health Mapping portal showcases innovative web-based mapping technologies which will enhance the decision-making process in respiratory health for the province of New Brunswick. These Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies are being developed by a dedicated team of IT technicians, data analysts, and content providers within the New Brunswick Lung Association. This team works in concert with a diverse group of partners from private industry, academic researchers, provincial and federal government departments, funding agencies and volunteers. (See - Partners).

CARIS Spatial Fusion Enterprise
Since 2003 the core architecture of this technology relied upon the CARIS Spatial Fusion Enterprise, a GIS server developed by CARIS Limited, a local software developer headquartered in Fredericton, with an international clientale.

ESRI ArcGIS Server
Since November of 2008, we shifted our core technology to ArcGIS Server 9.3, a map server engine developed by the Environmental Services Research Institute - ESRI, with personalized support services by ESRI Canada Limited's Atlantic Region Office.

GeoConnections
GeoConnections has been a primary funder of our project since its inception. (See - Partners).

Canadian Information System for the Environment
Environment Canada has be a primary funder of our project since its inception.(See - Partners).

United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey has also assisted in the developement of our technology via the American Lung Association of Maine, and the University of Southern Maine.

Open Geospatial Consortium
The software and technology used in this project conforms to Open Geospatial Consortium interoperability standards. Our project was funded by GeoConnections (Natural Resources Canada) the Canadian Information System for the Environment (Environment Canada) and the United States Geological Survey.

Health Mapping Project
In 2003, we initiated a web-mapping project to combine climate, air quality, and respiratory health data for visualization, analysis, and decision-making. In December 2005, the web mapping project was demonstrated at the United Nations Climate Change Convention, in Montreal.

We have organized several provincial workshops focused on GIS (geographic information systems) for public health, public safety, and the environment. In 2006, we were awarded funding to create a map of New Brunswick and Maine which seamlessly integrates influenza data. The project involves identifying user needs (epidemiologists, health officials, researchers etc), developing a data model, creating a hierarchical spatial diagram for Maine and New Brunswick, developing database procedures for statistical aggregation, developing visualization techniques (choropleth and isopleth classifications, pie charts / bar graphs, base map and framework data, symbolization), developing application features (e.g. query), developing an HTML map sequence viewer, and running a pandemic exercise to test the mapping application and WMS services in a decision-making environment.

We are concerned with many respiratory diseases such as Asthma, COPD, and Lung Cancer. Influenza epidemics often affect Canadians with pre-existing respiratory conditions. The threat of H5N1 or Pandemic Influenza has captured the world's attention, and this project will provide the technology that can assist decision makers in responding to a pandemic.

New Brunswick Lung Association

Part of Canadian History
The Canadian Lung Association was founded in 1900, under the original name The Canadian Association for the Prevention of Consumption and other Forms of Tuberculosis. As one of Canada 's first voluntary health organization, its first aim was to provide facilities for the care of TB patients. Throughout its past years, The Canadian Lung Association has helped achieve dramatic changes in the status of tuberculosis, and now a steady decline in TB has been realized. There is still, however, a lot of work to be done and The Lung Association is dedicated to do everything possible "to improve respiratory health."

In fact, since its founding, The Lung Association has undergone several name changes, changes that reflect the shift in the Association's work from the treatment of tuberculosis to the prevention and control of non-infectious lung diseases (such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and smoking-induced illnesses). The first change was in 1923, to the more succinct title: The Canadian Tuberculosis Association. Then, in 1969, the name was changed to The Canadian Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association. The final adjustment was made in 1977, and thus began The Canadian Lung Association.

The motto "to improve respiratory health" serves as a constant positive reminder that The Lung Association's chief purpose is to combat both disease and environmental threats to the lungs. The Lung Association strives to change the reality of lung disease in Canada , and the toll it takes on thousands of Canadians every year. Our primary work involves research, education and the promotion of healthy living. One leading objective is to influence people not to start smoking, and to quit if they do smoke.

Lung Associations promote smoke-free air in the workplace, and actively support legislation to regulate and/or prohibit smoking in public enclosed areas. Lung Associations across Canada work with public health officials, hospitals, universities, community groups and other volunteer health agencies to protect the air we breathe.

The Lung Association's programs and activities are conducted at the national, provincial and municipal levels. There are ten provincial Lung Associations and one territorial (the North West Territories ) Lung Association in Canada . Each provincial Lung Association maintains a professional staff (including health educators) who work with volunteers in developing and conducting community program services.

The Lung Association is non-profit and volunteer-based. Because of this, the Association depends greatly upon generous donations by the public. Each year since 1927, Christmas Seals have been the primary source of funding for the Association. It is through the funds from the annual Christmas Seals Campaign, as well as other fund-raising activities throughout the year, that The Lung Association is able to provide awareness, information and patient support programs in every province to improve the respiratory health of Canadians -- lungs are for life!

Mission and Vision Statements
Our mission and vision statements can be found here