175820 Demonstrating the Native Hawaiian Health Equity Atlas: Mapping Cultural Practices and Current Data

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 1:06 PM

Momi Fernandez , Data & Information, Director, Papa Ola Lokahi, Honolulu, HI
To demonstrate the GIS/ArcView 9.2v mapping developed as the Native Hawaiian Health Equity Atlas as a data tool for the Census Information Center located at Papa Ola Lokahi. POL partnered with a team funded by the National Library of Medicine and the Center for Public Service Communications to map Hawaiian wisdom based on cultural practices in order to tell a story and demonstrate the relationship between the health of the land and its people. A Hawaiian proverb and belief, if you take care of the land, the land will take care of you, inspired this interactive map that maps winds and rains names and information, cultural land boundaries, political designations, sacred places, locations of Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, community service organizations, Census data, Cancer Research Center's Tumor Registry, ICD9 and mortality data, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, Land Satellite (LandSat) images of major Hawaiian islands, and research data gathered by local study groups and more.

The tool can demonstrate contamination that travels from known wind and rain patterns that can affect community health by land, air and water. It applies traditional wisdom with technology tools while viewing public data that aid in planning efforts, needed capacity building for emergency preparedness, planning medical services for growing populations, cultural preservation and restoration projects and mapping preventative measures and routes prior to environmental or natural disasters.

Utilize Native wisdom with protocols while that knowledge is still available. Use appropriate technology and public data to tell your story in a culturally appropriate manner.

Learning Objectives:
To demonstrate the GIS/ArcView 9.2v mapping application developed as the Native Hawaiian Health Equity Atlas as a data tool that can also map Native Hawaiian Cultural Wisdom displaying the knowledge of winds and rains combined with census data, disease and environmental data that has a direct relationship to the health of the land and the health of its people. This tool can assist in articulating recognized cultural knowledge by identifying possible health issues and preparing or developing a priority list or plan of action to avoid a negative outcome caused by climate conditions, environmental or natural disasters, and the spread of disease. This tool can assist with program development to meet the health needs in a defined community and increase access to health services.

Keywords: Native and Indigenous Populations, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: the idea of mapping Hawaiian knowledge of winds and rains came through me that was developed into the first Native Hawaiian Health Equity Atlas. The National Library of Medicine gave me a certificate regarding my participation in their "Sacred Root" Program 2004-2005.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Addressing Native Hawaiian Health Through Community-Based Research, Data Mapping, And Health Activism
See more of: American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Caucus