Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116578

Sharon Sugerman, MS, RD, FADA, Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section, Public Health Institute/CA Dept. of Health Services, MS 7204, P.O. Box 997413, 1616 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, CA 95899-7413, 916-449-5406, ssugerma@dhs.ca.gov, Matthew Stone, MPH, Epidemiology and Program Evaluation Unit, UCSF/CA Dept. of Health Services, 1616 Capitol Ave, MS 7212, PO BOX 997413, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413, Toshi Hayashi, PhD, Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Control Section, CDIC, California Department of Health Service, MS 7212, PO BOX 997413, 1616 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413, and David Ginsburg, MPH, Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section, California Department of Health Services, 1616 Capitol Avenue, Suite 74.516, MS 7204, P.O. Box 997413, MS 7204, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413.

Background: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)* are software that bring together the functionality of relational databases and the display of geographically based information. Methods: During 2004, the California Nutrition Network (Network) substantially improved an existing web-based GIS application by incorporating user-friendly functionality, a tutorial and new data layers with nutrition, physical activity, and food security-related information. New data layers included U.S Census 2000 tracts with income strata, density and number of Food Stamp participants, and a comprehensive list of California food retailers. Data can be easily examined at the regional, county, or census tract level. In-person trainings were held with staff and contractors. Results: The website (http://www.calnutritionnetworkgis.org) was unveiled at a Social Marketing Conference in August of 2004. Network funded contractors have used the GIS to accurately locate the target audiences of food stamp and low-income individuals. This tool has enabled them to deliver interventions to specific communities and neighborhoods. New projects, including developing “buffer” zones around Network contractor sites and an examination of child fitness data comparing Network schools with non-Network schools are under development. Conclusion: GIS is a powerful tool that can be used to maximize resources by delivering interventions to precisely targeted populations. It enables contractors to meet funding agency requirements for reaching specific audiences and to compare communities on multiple dimensions.

Learning Objectives:

• Name 3 datasets and their sources that are useful for assessing community features(social, demographic, environmental) related to food security.
• Describe how to utilize a GIS system to effectively identify low-income target audiences and venues in which to reach them.
• Show how maps and spatial tools can be used to effectively target social marketing efforts in order to reach the most comprehensive target audience as possible.

Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Food Security

Related Web page: www.cnngis.org/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.