227786 Interactive, dynamic mapping of health and social justice factors in North Carolina

Monday, November 8, 2010

Christopher J. Mansfield, PhD , Department of Public Health, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Denise A. Kirk, MS , Center for Health Services Research and Development, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Background: Maps and spatial analyses are useful for describing disparities in health outcomes and underlying factors. Maps facilitate discovery of patterns in data, suggest hypotheses, and visual confirmation of correlations in hypothesis testing. Maps are also useful for communicating information to the public and engaging community partners in research and interventions to improve public health. Mapmaking and spatial analysis typically involves expertise with complex GIS software designed to create static products. We have employed a new interactive dynamic software system to make data accessible to researchers, public health practitioners, and the public. Methods: Data from the US Census, vital records, and surveys were assembled at the county level for North Carolina and aggregated as necessary to be generalizable and protect confidentiality. Data were then configured for input into InstantAtlas™ to create publicly accessible, web-based, interactive, dynamic maps. Results: Five types of map templates were published on a website, each allowing users to create choropleth maps and analyses of an extensive list of variables. Examples of variables are: mortality, poverty, education, homelessness, food security, and environmental factors. User defined, interactive maps and analyses include: 1) Profile maps with spine charts relating county values to each other and a benchmark; 2) Double map displays of counties and scatter plots with regression for analysis of bivariate correlations; 3) Maps and Bubble Plots of four indicators controlled by user; 4) Maps with Scatter Plots and Funnel Plots showing confidence limits; and, 5) Map of counties with Radar Charts of up to 9 variables per county. Discussion. This innovation in mapping systems is easy to employ and requires little training and experience. It can be manipulated by users interactively on a website for community diagnosis, policy analysis, research, and teaching. It can facilitate prevention through innovative and effective information technology.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Epidemiology
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the application of a new software mapping tool 2. Explain the process of acquiring, formatting, and importing data and the process of designing and publishing interactive reports to a public website. 3. Evaluate utility of the software and its application in community based needs assessments and community health planning

Keywords: Social Inequalities, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: InstantAtlas, Geowise, Limited, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I direct health services research, teach public health research methods, publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics of health disparities and health policy.
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.