Background: A population-based "report card" was created in San Diego County to track and trend the health and well-being of children and families. The Report Card indicators have been categorized into one of the five following areas: Economics, Health, Access to Services, Safety, and Education. These indicators are used to monitor the impact of recent state and local health policy changes. A GIS is being used to enhance the reporting of statistics by displaying data for the six service delivery regions of the local Health and Human Services Agency onto maps of the county. Methods: ArcView GIS software is being used to incorporate Report Card data into maps. Rates are plotted by region and numeric classifications are color coded to display variations within the county. Results: This region-specific analysis will be introduced in the second publication of the Report Card. It is anticipated that there will be important technological, methodological, and analytical lessons learned from this process. Our report will describe these lessons and will provide relevant considerations for other communities in the development and design of this type of monitoring tool. Conclusion: Community-specific data displayed in maps conveys information in a format that is easily understood by policymakers and community members and thus, enhances the presentation of this information. The incorporation of spatial data represents an innovative analytical dimension not traditionally seen in community report cards.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the increasing use of community report cards. 2. Understand how geographic information systems (GIS) can enhance community health reporting
Keywords: Report Card, Geographic Information Systems
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.