Maproom: A web-based decision and planning tool for community health professionals

A new project sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, and Duke University seeks to support existing efforts and expand new opportunities nationwide for the application of GIS techniques to enhance chronic disease prevention programs and policies within state and local health departments. This project involves the creation of a website that offers GIS users an opportunity to exchange information, ideas and approaches to produce relevant map products, and offers chronic disease managers an opportunity to learn how maps can be instrumental in guiding sound policy and program decisions.

Creating a web-based research portal provides: 1) a cost-effective means of building, augmenting, and sustaining GIS capacity and workforce capabilities in state chronic disease departments; 2) opportunities for collaboration and integration among units within and across various state health departments; and 3) a platform for the dissemination and sharing of GIS derived products.

To facilitate collaborative exchange, the web portal utilizes several mechanisms, including: user forums for posting and responding to specific questions; map galleries to showcase GIS work and to highlight case studies in the application of GIS products for policy and program development; links to GIS resources; and user-contributed articles.

The aim of the web portal is to foster a community of federal, state, and local health agency GIS users. This community will leverage in situ GIS capacity and create opportunities for intra/inter chronic disease department synergies. In so doing, it connects community policy and plans to real data.