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

Abstract #66096

John E Stewart, MS, MPH, Institute for Families in Society, University of South Carolina, Carolina Plaza, Columbia, SC 29208, 803-777-5516, jstewart@gwm.sc.edu

Census-based maps can be generated quickly and at relatively low cost to identify at-risk community-based populations, target prevention and treatment programs, locate (or relocate) public health clinics, and allocate public health personnel resources. This study uses data from the 2000 Census to map key population risk characteristics, including low educational attainment, poverty, income inequality, physical and mental disability, and linguistic isolation in South Carolina. In addition, census data from 1980 to 2000 are used to map recent population growth by age group, race/ethnicity, and national origin. A variety of geographic visualization methods (dot-density, choropleth, and 3D mapping) are illustrated. The use of census-based maps in public health planning is exemplified at the state and substate (public health service provision district) levels. Limitations associated with the development and interpretation of census-based maps are identified and methods for the integration of census and health care delivery data in the context of a geographic information system (GIS) are explored.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• List five census indicators (including social indicators) of potential importance to public health planners
• Recognize three methods used to map census data
• Describe the use of census-based maps to identify at-risk community-based populations

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.