The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65962

Carl Lee Hanson, PhD, CHES¹, Laura Dimmler, MPA², Russ Lord, PhD¹, Deborah Peters, MS², Kristen Lundgren, MA², and Sarah Lord, BA². (1) Department of Health, Physical Education and Human Services, Montana State University - Billings, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101, (406) 657-2395, Chanson@msubillings.edu, (2) Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning, Montana State University - Billings, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101

The purpose of the study was to assess youth protection against substance abuse and violence by using spatial modeling. Understanding youth protection is important for community health planning around substance abuse and violence prevention. Previous use of geographic information system (GIS) technology to address community health planning has been limited and a review of the literature suggests that GIS has not been used extensively for substance abuse prevention planning and policy development. In this study, community protective factors data were collected and spatial analysis used to help develop a strategic health plan for Billings, Montana. Protective factors data were collected during a three-month period in 2002; identifying neighborhoods, substance abuse treatment facilities, and “youth friendly” sites including businesses frequented by youth, schools, churches, and youth development agencies. The data were analyzed in an Excel database and ArcView 8.1 was used to prepare the spatial analysis. Results of the spatial analysis suggest that youth in certain neighborhoods are at greater risk due to a lack of protective factors in those areas of the community. These findings have implications for identifying gaps in community protective factors and have formed the foundation of a community-based strategic health plan to address youth substance abuse and violence.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• describe geographic information system technology
• recognize the value of geographic information system technology for community health planning and policy development
• explain how community protective factors might be analyzed through spatial modeling

Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.