Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Sep;101(9):1664-5.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300195. Epub 2011 Jul 21.

Using geographic information systems to match local health needs with public health services and programs

Affiliations

Using geographic information systems to match local health needs with public health services and programs

Tamara Dubowitz et al. Am J Public Health. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Local health departments (LHDs) play an important role in ensuring essential public health services. Geographic information system (GIS) technology offers a promising means for LHDs to identify geographic gaps between areas of need and the reach of public health services. We examined how large LHDs could better inform planning and investments by using GIS-based methodologies to align community needs and health outcomes with public health programs. We present a framework to drive LHDs in identifying and addressing gaps or mismatches in services or health outcomes.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Critical factors enabling local health departments (LHDs) to map population health needs and public health program efforts.

References

    1. National Association of County and City Health Officials National profile of local health departments. Available at: http://www.naccho.org/topics/infrastructure/profile/upload/NACCHO_report.... Accessed May 12, 2011
    1. Hanchette CL, Gibbs DA, Gilliam A, Fogarty KJ, Bruhn MA. National, geographic database of CDC-funded HIV prevention services: development challenges and potential applications. Int J Health Geogr. 2005;4:28. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Pierce SJ, Miller RL, Morales MM, Forney J. Identifying HIV prevention service needs of African American men who have sex with men: an application of spatial analysis techniques to service planning. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2007;13(suppl):S72–S79 - PubMed
    1. Berndt DJ, Hevner AR, Studnicki J. The Catch Data Warehouse: support for community health care decision-making. Decis Support Syst. 2003;35(3):367–384
    1. Croner CM. Public health, GIS, and the Internet. Annu Rev Public Health. 2003;24:57–82 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources