Geographic Information Systems As a Tool for Community-based Advocacy

Issue- The purpose of this project was to demonstrate the state-wide impact of HIV/AIDS in Georgia using Geographic Information System (GIS), and increase legislative support for sustained ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) funding.

Description- A legislative database of House, Senate and Congressional district representatives was created using data from an advocacy organization and the state government website. HIV/AIDS data was obtained from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Prevalence rates were calculated for 2008-2010, using population estimate from the American Community Survey. These rates were then linked to the legislative database using unique identifiers. Thematic maps exploring yearly trends in HIV/AIDS by Senate and House districts were used to prepare policy briefs for ADAP Citizen Lobby Day.

Lessons Learned- A total of 32 maps by senate districts and 17 maps by house districts were created. Twenty-eight citizen advocates used the policy briefs to lobby legislators in the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Health and Human Services Committee, providing to them an accurate and timely picture of the status of HIV/AIDS and communicating the need for targeted state-wide intervention. The maps effectively focused attention on the state-wide nature of HIV/AIDS, aided an effective academic-community partnership and allowed the strategic messaging of a public health problem.

Recommendations- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a powerful tool for identifying and communicating public health problems to policy makers. Its powerful visualization and analytic tools can be leveraged effectively to promote public health advocacy, empower the users of the information and inform policy decisions.