Addressing social determinants of health with GIS technology
Upcoming Events
Related News
From our partnersDiscover the transformative power of GIS technology in addressing social determinants of health and building healthier communities. |
The conditions we are born into, grow, work, live in, and age impact our health outcomes remarkably. As a person that grew up in a rural area, with a single working mother, and living well below the poverty line, I understand the difficulty of securing consistent health care and education. Growing up with these experiences, I recognized that many of those around me also struggled to find these same opportunities.
Like many of our youth that have struggled with adverse childhood experiences, also known as ACEs, I became a statistic as a homeless teenager and high school dropout. However, the difference is that, years later, I received the interventions and services that changed my physical and economic circumstances, often referred to as social determinants of health (SDOH). These changes led to a return to higher education, consistent employment, and a healthy lifestyle. Motivated to give back to my community and those with the greatest need, I currently volunteer at a local homeless shelter and continue to hear first-hand the vast struggles many people face. Some situations are dire and started when they were young, with mounting circumstances leading to their current status. For some, they had healthy SDOH, and then, with a single event – like illness or disasters such as fires, everything changed, and now, they are homeless, more susceptible to drug misuse, and struggling with many other health crises.
Location-based Solutions for Addressing Humans In Crisis
Solving for humans in crisis has been a constant rallying point in the health and human services professions. My life experiences allow me to understand further the complex challenges people face and find equitable solutions.
Where you live, work, and play matters. The most effective solution should be a geographic approach to understand the root conditions and find the best preventive strategies and interventions. Geographic information system (GIS) technology provides the framework to respond—organize data geographically, receive real-time updates, communicate information, deploy tactics, and allocate resources where necessary while keeping decision-makers and the community informed.
The Esri Health and Human Services GIS Conference, May 2-3, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois, is the perfect opportunity to come together to hear user stories and attend technical workshops that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to advance your organization's initiatives. Not only will you be able to hear from leading health organizations leveraging GIS technology in their efforts to build healthy communities, but you will have the opportunity to meet with our Esri health advisors and subject matter experts. Registration is now open, so please join us and learn how we can utilize GIS to address the SDOH.
Leading Health Organizations Addressing Humans in Crisis
Some amazing organizations leveraging GIS to address SDOH will share their best practices at the conference. First, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) identified the health impact SDOH had on their communities and analyzed SDOH data to identify and implement programs and initiatives that will have the greatest impact on their community's health outcomes. While addressing SDOH is not unique, the geographic approach CHOP implemented allowed them to get to the root of some of the direst situations.
The CDC Foundation will share another fantastic example under the Kansas Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) team. With GIS technology, the ORS team identified overdose hotspots and increased prevention and intervention efforts in these communities in partnership with community organizations and local police departments.
GIS technology allows organizations like CHOP and the CDC Foundation to share this data with their elected officials and identify where resources and interventions will have the greatest impact on communities in need.
Many more fantastic speakers and presentations are planned for the Esri Health and Human Services GIS Conference; please check out the agenda to explore these topics and presentations. You will also have Esri experts on hand to help with your specific needs, so come prepared with questions or projects you would like to discuss with our advisors. I hope to see you there so we can continue to learn the best ways to assist our communities.
Post Sponsor
Unlocking Federal Funds: How Technical Assistance Empowers Rural Counties
Rural communities across America are facing an increasingly complex funding landscape. Federal policy shifts, budget cuts and administrative hurdles make securing grants more challenging than ever.
#LightAPath for Amazon Deliveries This Winter
During reduced daylight hours, Amazon is encouraging customers to help drivers when they are delivering their packages in the dark.
New in 2025: Counties Should Prepare Now for the Upcoming HIPAA Security Rule Update
Counties across the country are leveraging the Sectri platform to achieve HIPAA Security Rule compliance and to proactively prepare for the updated requirements set to be finalized in 2025.
America's Opioid Crisis: Counties as Frontline Forces in the Fight
Counties serve as the first line of defense, providing essential services in public health, mental health, law enforcement and social services - supporting communities in crisis and driving lasting recovery.
Empowering Communities: How County Leaders are Tackling the Opioid Crisis Head-On
Forward-thinking county leaders are implementing year-round strategies to prevent overdoses, educate communities about the importance of proper drug disposal and connect residents with local resources for support.
County collaboration is key to overcoming the cybersecurity talent shortage
In the United States, citizens depend on county governments to deliver many of the nation’s most critical services. These organizations play a crucial role in ensuring overall community well-being by managing essential services such as law enforcement, public health, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response.
DTE Energy bringing natural gas, opportunity to Tri-County Region in Northern Michigan
Residents of Benzie, Manistee and Wexford counties in Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief this winter as natural gas becomes available in the region for the first time leading to significant savings, increased comfort and improved reliability.
Building Resilience Against Climate Change – Insights from Tidal Basin
Carlos J. Castillo, President of Federal Services at Tidal Basin, emphasized the critical role of emergency management in local climate resilience at the 2024 NACo Legislative Conference and Annual Conference.
Investing Over $100 Billion in American Infrastructure
AT&T has invested over $140 billion in the past five years to enhance American connectivity, focusing on expanding its role as the nation's largest fiber internet provider and improving its reliable 5G network, which now serves nearly 290 million people.
Building Networks for the Next Century, Not the Last One
AT&T emphasizes its nearly 150-year history of innovation and connectivity as it transitions from traditional copper landlines to modern fiber and wireless technologies, highlighting the importance of adapting to current consumer demands and technological advancements.
Travis County Develops 2,000 Units of Housing to Address Homelessness
This post is sponsored by our partners at Guidehouse. Through Guidehouse's comprehensive support, Travis County is on track to successfully create over 2,000 units of affordable, supportive housing by 2027.
Feeding kids during the summer requires county officials
The introduction of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program marks a pivotal shift in addressing childhood hunger, especially during the summer when school meals are unavailable. This nationwide initiative, offering substantial grocery benefits, promises transformative support for over 29 million children, with a significant impact on communities facing systemic inequalities.
Why customer-centric strategy is vital for digital service adoption
The importance of a customer-centric strategy in digital service adoption for county governments is emphasized, highlighting the need for thoughtful design, clear communication, and multi-channel engagement to meet user expectations and improve customer experience.
Fighting opioid addiction – one life at a time
The opioid crisis, a major national issue, saw a 55% increase in drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2022, with 75% involving opioids. Effective strategies to combat this include integrated care, policy enhancement, and technology, focusing on whole-person care and intervention opportunities to save lives.
Planning for the post-American Rescue Plan Act future
Guidehouse outlines strategies for state and local governments to sustain programs after the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funding. It emphasizes the need for reassessing constituent needs, measuring program impact, and considering fiscal implications to ensure long-term viability and effective resource allocation for programs initially funded by SLFRF.
How voluntary benefits can help improve your employee benefit package
Voluntary benefits, tailored to diverse employee needs and often at reduced costs, are proving essential in enhancing employer benefit packages, attracting, and retaining talent, and addressing specific wellbeing issues across different age and income groups.
A countywide opioid misuse prevention campaign is easier to implement than you think
The Deterra Household Mailing Campaign delivers educational tools and deactivation pouches directly to homes. To save lives by tackling the opioid crisis.
From prevention to resilience: Strategies in wildfire mitigation
Explore a multifaceted approach to wildfire mitigation with Tidal Basin. From creating defensible spaces to early detection systems, discover strategies fostering resilient communities, protecting lives & property. Urgent action is crucial amidst rising wildfire risks. Learn more at TidalBasinGroup.com.
Related News
Congress passes the TAKE IT DOWN Act
The TAKE IT DOWN Act establishes federal authorities at the Federal Trade Commission to remove non-consensual intimate images from digital platforms
Congressional leaders introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen technical assistance for rural broadband
The Rural Broadband Assistance Act strengthens local access to federal broadband programs by codifying USDA’s Broadband Technical Assistance Program and ensuring continued support for broadband deployment in rural communities.
NACo offers new Medicaid resources as Congress advances Budget Resolutions with major Medicaid reform implications
On April 10, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to adopt a Senate-passed budget resolution, marking the next step in the budget reconciliation process. The proposed funding levels therein represent significant potential cost shifts to counties, particularly in the area of Medicaid financing. To help county leaders understand what’s at stake, NACo has developed two new resources.