Enabling integration of local health department (LHD) infrastructure, community characteristics, and health outcomes data by constructing GIS shape files for LHD jurisdictions

Background: Rich data are available on infrastructure of LHDs, community health structure, and health status indicators, merging these data from different sources at the level of local health departments (community level). Linking these data for research, evaluation, and planning is not possible in the absence of GIS shape files for the LHDs. Objective/purpose: (a) Discuss methodology for creation of GIS shape files for all LHDs in U.S.; and (b) Present the proof of concept to demonstrate utility of this tool to promote and facilitate studies that require linking data on LHD characteristics with data on community characteristics, risk factors, and health outcomes. Methods: Using existing information on LHD boundaries, boundary shapes and their associated FIPS codes were determined for all states. A single shape file of all LHD boundaries in the United States was created, with information verified by contacts with state and local public health professionals. For the proof of concept, data from multiple sources were linked at LHD jurisdiction level for a subset of the LHDs.

Results: The study demonstrates that construction of the LHD GIS shape files and associated attribute tables has enabled research not otherwise possible. Ability to link community level data from multiple sources can equip researchers with important tools to research health disparities, social determinants of health and many other topics in public health where relationships among LHD characteristics, community characteristics and health status of individuals are to be examined.

Discussion/conclusion: Construction of GIS shape files for LHDs has important implications not only for the public health research; it is also critical in an effective emergency preparedness, equitable resource distribution, and efficient disease surveillance and prevention.