Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109859

Michael J. Kazda, MA¹, Amy Raines, MPH², Dorian F. Villegas, MPH³, James N. Agyemang, EdD¹, and Witold M. Migala, MPH, PhD⁴. (1) Department of Public Health, City of Fort Worth, 1800 University Drive, Room 218, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (2) Outreach Division, Department of Public Health, City of Fort Worth, 1800 University Drive, Room 208, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (3) City of Fort Worth Public Health Department, Epidemiology & Assessment, 1800 University Dr Ste 218, Fort Worth, TX 76107, 817-871-7362, Dorian.villegas@fortworthgov.org, (4) Epidemiology & Assessment, City of Fort Worth Public Health Department, 1800 University, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Pet overpopulation persists as a critical public health problem in many urban communities. Though pets contribute to the quality of life for many Americans, irresponsible pet ownership can negatively impact the health of a community. Un-neutered animals reproduce and the resulting offspring are often abandoned. These stray animals further propagate, remain unvaccinated and pose serious challenges to public health and safety by contributing to the risk of animal bites and disease transmission. The City of Fort Worth Public Health Department used the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership (MAPP) tool for strategic planning with communities to address multiple health problems, including those related to pet overpopulation, strays and neglected animals. Department staff utilized a geographic information system (GIS) to integrate and analyze data from multiple sources including needs assessments, animal bite surveillance systems, animal impoundment databases, as well as demographic and land use data sets. Spatial analysis thus allows for the accurate identification of neighborhoods with the greatest needs. GIS enables the production of compelling visual representations of data, easily understood by both policy makers and community stakeholders. Accurate socio-demographic characterization of the community through the integration of geographically concordant data permits the targeting of culturally and linguistically relevant intervention measures resulting in increased efficacy in the delivery of services. GIS is essential in documenting the processes and responses to identified needs as well as measuring program impact and performing post hoc analysis to identify factors that may contribute to, or hinder, program success.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the benefits of using GIS to integrate data from multiple sources and accurately characterize the needs and suggested interventions within a community.
• Analyze available data regarding the pet population to identify strategies for overcoming the problems of stray animals, neglect, and non-compliance with pet licensing and vaccination.
• Apply spatial analysis methods to more effectively partner with communities to solve critical public health problems.

Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Community Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation