Open AccessUse of Geographic Information Systems for Planning HIV Prevention Interventions for High-Risk Youths
Author(s) -
Catherine G. Geanuracos,
Shayna D. Cunningham,
George B. Weiss,
Draco Forte,
Lisa M Reid,
Jonathan M. Ellen
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2005.076851
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , geographic information system , public health , environmental health , public health interventions , gis and public health , intervention (counseling) , epidemiology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , geography , family medicine , nursing , remote sensing
Geographic information system (GIS) analysis is an emerging tool for public health intervention planning. Connect to Protect, a researcher-community collaboration working in 15 cities to reduce HIV infection among youths, developed GIS databases of local health, crime, and demographic data to evaluate the geographic epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections and HIV risk among adolescents. We describe the process and problems of data acquisition, analysis, and mapping in the development of structural interventions, demonstrating how program planners can use this technology to inform and improve planning decisions. The Connect to Protect project's experience suggests strategies for incorporating public data and GIS technology into the next generation of public health interventions.