Interactive web-based mapping: bridging technology and data for health

Area of Science:

• Public Health Informatics
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Health Data Visualization

Background:

• The Community Health Information System (CHIS) online mapping system, launched in 1998, aimed to provide access to community health data.
• Planning for the next generation began in 2009 with a focus on enhanced interactivity and user control over data selection and reporting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an interactive, web-based mapping tool for public health data.
• To empower users with greater control over data exploration and report generation.

Main Methods:

• Development of a next-generation CHIS application featuring two distinct portals: Breast Health Portal and Project Safety Net.
• Integration with a Google mapping interface for geographic data visualization.
• Inclusion of diverse data sources such as Census, cancer incidence, mortality, and healthcare service information.

Main Results:

• A beta version was launched in July 2011, covering an 8-county region around Harris County, Texas.
• The system incorporates data from the Texas Cancer Registry and Texas Vital Statistics.
• It provides access to information on free/low-cost clinics, including services, hours, and payment options, alongside uninsured and poverty data.

Conclusions:

• The system utilizes 'query on the fly' technology for real-time data generation and customized map/report creation.
• The Breast Health Portal and Project Safety Net represent novel local-scale interactive interfaces for public health data exploration.
• Users can generate specific health statistics, such as real-time breast cancer incidence rates by Census tract for defined age groups.