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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Stephanie Skillman, Public Health, Global Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-336-8768, sskillman@llu.edu and Juan Carlos Belliard, PhD, MPH, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92350.

Transportation is often listed as a key factor in Latino access to healthcare discussions. Here we present the findings of a research project examining the spatial relationships between residents of a Latino community and the professional (clinics and hospitals) and traditional health services (botanicas) in San Bernardino, California. Primary and secondary data included a) health resources identified by Latino community members through focus groups, and b) public health resources information on licensed traditional and professional healthcare venues that cater to Latinos. Primary data also included information on barriers to health care and decision-making. The inventory was mapped using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology to provide a spatial analysis of health services and products in the City of San Bernardino, California. We discuss implications of our findings in examining the various factors and their weights in the decision-making processes Latinos engage in when choosing traditional or biomedical services. Finally, we make suggestions as to how this tool can be utilized to bridge the gap between San Bernardino's Latino population and the professional healthcare sector.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• understand how GIS technology can be applied to community health,
• provide examples of how universities can partner with communities and use GIS technology in asset mapping,
• identify key barriers to healthcare access among Latino communities and,
• address the disconnect that exists between parallel medical systems and suggest possible strategies to address this problem.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Community Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation