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Abstract #159985

Bernadette Callahan Hohl¹, Julie Becker, PhD, MPH², Alice Hausman, PhD, MPH¹, and Sylvia Twersky-Bumgardner, MPH³. (1) Public Health, Temple University, 1700 N Broad Street, Suite 304, Philadelphia, PA 19122, (215) 204-0968, bachohl@temple.edu, (2) JMC Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1015 Walnut Street, Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (3) Department of Public Health, Temple University, 1700 N. Broad St., Room 304, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Measures of social capital have been associated with health indicators, generally as a way to aid in the development and implementation of health programs. Social capital measures have not been widely used to inform about decisions related to violence prevention programs. For this feasibility study, we examined the links between social capital variables from a household survey of the Greater Philadelphia region and publicly accessed violence data to generate geospatial relationships. Ten items assessing community participation and involvement, extent of local social networks, and trust and reciprocity within the neighborhood were combined to create a measure of social capital. Our study used GIS technology and SPSS to analyze the relationship between this measure and violent crimes committed with a weapon and then map this information. The combination of the maps and the quantitative analysis helped to shape the decisions of a violence prevention center in Philadelphia in determining their interventions and policy ideas for future assistance.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the relationship between social capital and violence in the Philadelphia area
• Discuss the utility of GIS technology in public health decision-making

Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Community Assets

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.