Development of a Mapped Diabetes Community Program Guide for a Safety Net Population

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Community Health

Background:

• Connecting patients with community resources is vital for improving physical activity, nutrition, and weight management.
• Interactive mapped community program guides show promise but lack detailed development literature.
• Safety net institutions face unique challenges in implementing such tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development process of an interactive web-based mapped community program guide.
• To identify practical challenges and lessons learned within a safety net institution.
• To assess the feasibility of creating both a program guide map and a population health map.

Main Methods:

• Development of an interactive web-based mapped community program guide.
• Creation of a population health map.
• Qualitative assessment of the development process and challenges encountered.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of creating two distinct types of maps: a program guide and a population health map.
• Identified key challenges and valuable lessons for future development, especially in safety net settings.
• Highlighted the necessity of external partnerships and community-based participatory methods.

Conclusions:

• Mapping community programs can enhance individual wellness and aid population health management by healthcare systems.
• Partnerships beyond the healthcare system are crucial for successful implementation.
• Community-based participatory methods are essential for effective program development and integration.