Utilizing Geographic Information Systems to Construct a Community-based Geographic Health Profile to Successfully Identify and Address Health Disparities

Despite current methods for routine data collection and data management, appropriate integration of different types of data continues to be underutilized. This often leads to ineffective public health program planning and evaluation. Fort Worth Public Health Department epidemiologists incorporate available local data to create community-based geographic profiles utilizing the municipal enterprise geographic information systems (GIS). This permits identification of high risk underserved populations and informs culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions. Utilization of the GIS platform allows the integration of all-cause mortality data, natality data, community needs assessment data, census data, and other city departments' data maintained within the enterprise system. The accuracy achieved in geocoding all primary data has allowed the integration of various health measures with census-derived socio-demographic data to accurately develop and evaluate the health promotion and outreach programs in target areas. In addition, this method has proven effective in monitoring socioeconomic and health-related measures at various politically and community defined geographic strata. The method of utilizing GIS to integrate local community-based data allows spatial analyses and enhanced analytic capabilities for the health department its future public health initiatives. This methodology and platform has enhanced the accurate assessment of local, high-risk, underserved populations at different geographic levels. Disparities across many dimensions of well-being and disproportionate community health and social services utilization have been identified due to the utilization of these analytical methods. This innovative approach informs targeted public health interventions and permits effective program evaluation at the community level supporting the core mission of population-based public health service.