265219 Community-based participatory research: How developing small geography health indicators can assist communities with big decisions

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 1:10 PM - 1:30 PM

Stephen Borders, PhD , Community Research Institute, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Megan Cochran, MPA , School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Catlin Dluhos, MHA , School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Ross Ekdom, MHA , School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Jerryl Ewing, MHA , School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Jason Flanders, MPA , School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
     
The Ottawa County (Michigan) Health Department (OCHD) and the Graduate Student Consulting Center (GSCC) at Grand Valley State University engaged in community-based participatory research to build community capacity toward addressing food insecurity. With nearly 20% of the Michigan population receiving food stamps coupled with increasing rates of obesity and obesity-related chronic disease, GSCC conducted an environmental scan for OCHD in support of a larger food security strategic planning initiative. GSCC students employed Geographic Information Systems to map measureable health indicators at the census tract level. The goal of the project is to provide stakeholders with the information required make appropriate investment decisions at the community level. Based on Healthy People 2020 indicators, the analysis and subsequent baseline measures are being used to monitor changes and to gain understanding of the extent to which community needs are being met relative to other areas of the state and nation. For example, GSCC mapped the proportion of the population with access to nutrient dense foods (Objective NWS-4) while also surveying emergency food providers (churches and nonprofits) about capacities to provide such staples as lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables to those seeking services. In addition, GSCC analyzed indicators associated with social determinants of health, such as poverty, ethnicity, age, and income. As a result, GSCC participants are developing practical skills and expertise required of future public health leaders to bridge the gap between research and what is practiced within the communities of Ottawa County to improve health while reducing food insecurity.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1) Discuss and explain how established health indicators, such as Healthy People 2020 objectives are being used to drive decision-making. 2) Demonstrate several examples of how established health indicators can be developed for small geographies using publicly available data.

Keywords: Food Security, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have nearly 15 years in public health experience and serve as the director of the Student Consulting Center at Grand Valley State University.
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.

Back to: 5166.0: Creative Initiatives for Using Healthy People 2020 to Build Healthy Communities – a Joint CHPPD/PHEHP Session