Network maps for community health planning: The Philadelphia healthy food network

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate network description as a tool for community health planning and to provide an example of an interactive network map that identifies the organizations and collaborations contributing to healthy food actions in Philadelphia. METHODS: Organizations that contribute to nutrition education, access, or advocacy were identified and described through internet searches and key informant interviews. The organizations were depicted as nodes on a network map. The links between nodes represented a transfer of resources such as program collaboration or funding. Network hubs were identified to determine the organizations with a high level influence on the system. The network map was disseminated to the public through an interactive website. RESULTS: Sixty-eight entities were identified that contributed to healthy food actions in Philadelphia. Community-based organizations and schools interfaced with largest number of organizations and were identified as the main hubs of the network. The interactive network website displays the map and links to the organizations' websites. The website serves as a resource for planning community nutrition services and has received 155 visitors in two months. CONCLUSION: Network maps are valuable tools for assessing complex arrangements of organizations and evaluating the resources in a community. Philadelphia has an expansive network of community partnerships and collaborations for promoting healthy food actions. An overarching collaborative entity that directs these efforts and ensures that resources reach all communities may help in organizing the citywide system. The network map website is an initial step in understanding the system and improving community planning.