Recorded presentation

Dorian F. Villegas, MPH¹, Michael J. Kazda, MA², Jessica D. Martinez, MPH³, Elizabeth Rossmann Beel, MPH³, and Witold M. Migala, MPH, PhD³. (1) City of Fort Worth Public Health Department, Epidemiology & Assessment, 1800 University Dr Ste 218, Fort Worth, TX 76107, 817-871-7362, Dorian.villegas@fortworthgov.org, (2) Department of Public Health, City of Fort Worth, 1800 University Drive, Room 218, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (3) Epidemiology & Assessment, City of Fort Worth Public Health Department, 1800 University Dr., Ste 216, Fort Worth, TX 76107

To ensure acquisition of a highly reliable and randomly distributed sample of a diverse urban population and allow for small geographic area analysis of disease prevalence data, the City of Fort Worth Public Health Department utilized a geographic information system (GIS) in orchestrating recent community needs assessment efforts. Sampling frames were defined using demographic and housing data layers in a GIS. Sample size determinations were calculated to assure representative samples for different geographic strata of the resident population. Collection of location data at the time of the 3,361 face-to-face assessment interviews allowed for the association of reliable geographic data with measures of health conditions and behaviors. Incorporating a spatial component in analyses of mortality and needs assessment data allows efficient integration of geographically concordant demographic and socio-economic data available from the most recent census. Accomplishing this through the GIS platform increases the relevance of data to specific populations by allowing stratification by geographic areas at the neighborhood level as well as other strata defined by socio-cultural conventions. Additionally, it enables the production of compelling visual representations of data easily understood by policy makers and citizens. Further, an important strength of this approach is the flexibility afforded by the capability to stratify these data to adjust for changing geographic boundaries. Spatial analysis of morbidity and mortality combined with the rich data available regarding the underlying population permits the targeting of culturally and linguistically relevant interventions to populations most affected and results in the efficient delivery of essential services.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the use of GIS in sampling strategies for a large-scale, cross-sectional survey;
• Recognize the benefits of integrating data utilizing the GIS platform;
• Understand the utility of incorporating disease prevalence, mortality, socio-economic, and demographic data in the analysis of community health conditions.

Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Needs Assessment

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.

Recorded presentation