The Work

Using Geographic Information Technology to Analyze Public Health Issues

The Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHi) has built its capacity to offer powerful statistical and spatial analysis of public health issues facing the DC-Maryland-Virginia region. Together with other public health institutes across the country, IPHi is partnering with the Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems at the University of Missouri to customize the Community Issues Management (CIM) tool (http://www.cim-network.org), which is a web-based system designed for local and regional organizations to frame, manage, and take action on complex issues. Built around national, state, and local Geographic Information System (GIS) data, CIM provides information right at our fingertips so we can better understand how health factors vary throughout the region and the possible inter-relationships of contributing factors.

The CIM system already includes over 700 different, publicly available data layers, many down to the zip code and census tract level. More importantly, IPHi will be able to upload local, state, and issue-specific data that, when overlaid with national data, give us a more robust picture of what is happening in our region and communities. The system is also a great way to engage the community with the ability to share maps, reports, and other documents. IPHi is administering CIM on behalf of the region and looks forward to partnering with others to fully utilize this powerful tool.