Does a Community-Engaged Health Informatics Platform Facilitate Resource Connectivity? An Evaluation Framework

Community-engaged health informatics (CEHI) integrates informatics with community-based participatory public health. Addressing social determinants and population health requires mobilization of health-related resources in communities. We present a framework for evaluating the process and outcomes of a CEHI platform designed to improve connectivity among community health resources. The GetHealthyHeights.org CEHI platform was implemented in an urban low-income community. It was designed to facilitate connectivity among health-related community-based organizations (CBOs). To evaluate the process towards and the achievement of connectivity, a conceptual framework, methodology, and operational measures were defined. A system-level approach, such as social network analysis, is required to capture the community as one dynamic unit. The evaluation framework specifies network connectivity metrics based on a social network survey. A network survey of CBOs (n=35) at baseline demonstrates utility of social network data for characterizing connectivity among community resources. The evaluation framework models how informatics and community resources improve population health.