Using community asset-mapping in health disparities research

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Veronica Parker, PhD¹, Barbara Logan, PhD¹, Charlton Coles, PhD², and James Witte, PhD³. (1) Nursing, Clemson University, 404 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, (864) 656-0984, veronic@clemson.edu, (2) EXPORT Center grant, Clemson University, 522 Edwards Hall, P.O.Box 340745, Clemson, SC 29634-0745, (3) Sociology, Clemson University, 130-G Brackett Hall, Clemson, SC 29634

The number of racial/ethnic minorities in the US population is increasing dramatically and is expected to continue well into the next century. As data indicate, members of these groups suffer disproportionately from chronic health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, cancer, stroke and infant mortality. The Department of Health and Human Services has made the elimination of these disparities a priority. However, eliminating or even reducing health disparities among racial/ethnic minority groups has been a considerable challenge to policymakers and the health care system. One method of eliminating or reducing health disparities is through engaging communities in prevention, intervention, and other health improvement efforts. This method is based on the premise that communities understand their problems and can be empowered to actively engage in solving their own problems. The EXPORT project at Clemson University was designed to address health disparities related to obesity in selected rural counties of South Carolina. As an expansion of EXPORT activities, an asset-mapping study of community health and other resources was implemented in the lower state project counties. Asset-mapping is a capacity-building effort that seeks to identify strengths that can be preserved, enhanced, and mobilized to help the community. Asset-mapping focuses on the community's strengths rather than deficits to be remedied. As a result of the asset-mapping study, pockets of poor, rural racial/ethnic minority populations were identified through geospatial analyses while strengths in the communities were identified by asset-mapping. Findings, implications, as well as future directions will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

1. Describe the three levels of assets to be considered in asset-mapping for health disparities research;
2. Develop an asset map for a priority health concern in a community;
3. Articulate the procedure for translating geospatial analyses & asset mapping results to health care planning;
4. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of utilizing such an approach in racial/ethnic minority populations.

Keywords: Minority Health, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation

Use of the Internet, Telecommunications, Mapping, etc. for Health Care Planning, Policy Development and Evaluation

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA