Using GIS to facilitate community-based public health planning of diabetes intervention efforts

Data from a community survey were analyzed geographically to help facilitate local diabetes prevention efforts. Data were available from the Speak to Your Health! Community Survey, designed and implemented by The Prevention Research Center of Michigan (PRC/MI), whose central mission is to strengthen community capacity to improve health. This survey was developed collaboratively by the university and community partners that comprise the PRC/MI and focuses on health and social issues at the heart of the community of Genesee County, Michigan. Survey data were used to calculate and geographically map diabetes-risk scores and mapped diabetes-screening rates. These maps indicated that those areas where the estimated risk of diabetes was the highest had only moderate rates of diabetes screening relative to other areas. It is hoped that these results will reach those involved in local diabetes-intervention programs with the intent that the data will be used in planning local prevention and intervention efforts.