Secondary GIS built environment data for health research: guidance for data development

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Geographic Information Systems
• Urban planning

Background:

• Built environment (BE) data in geographic information system (GIS) format are increasingly accessible.
• GIS data offer objective, low-cost, large-region BE data valuable for public health research and surveillance.
• Challenges include data limitations in capturing desired constructs, variable quality, and inconsistencies in definitions and spatial representations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the range of BE characteristics measurable by GIS associated with active living.
• To assess the availability and inconsistencies of GIS BE data across nine U.S. small towns.
• To outline strategies for developing accurate, complete, and consistent GIS BE data for research.

Main Methods:

• Classified objectively measurable BE characteristics related to active living into nine domains based on a conceptual framework and literature.
• Assessed the availability of secondary GIS data for these domains across nine small towns.
• Examined inconsistencies in available GIS BE data, particularly tax parcel data, and explored data manipulation strategies.

Main Results:

• At least some GIS data were available for seven of the nine BE domains across all towns.
• High-resolution or behavioral BE data were often unavailable.
• Available GIS BE data, especially tax parcel data, exhibited varying attributes and detail levels, necessitating careful attention to definitions and spatial representations.

Conclusions:

• Secondary GIS BE data can be made accurate, complete, and consistent for research use, but requires meticulous data management and manipulation.
• Careful attention to the definition and spatial representation of BE characteristics is crucial.
• Protocols facilitate the necessary manipulation of secondary source data for health research.