[Community health decision-making through the assets mapping].

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Management
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Background:

• Health asset mapping is crucial for understanding community resources and addressing health inequalities.
• Existing methodologies may lack the adaptability required for participatory decision-making in local administration.
• A need exists for a standardized, replicable approach to health asset mapping across diverse populations.

Observation:

• The study reports on the experience of redefining a health asset mapping methodology.
• The redefined methodology aimed to analyze health inequalities and support participatory decision-making.
• A key aspect involved classifying assets based on territorial distribution, population profiles, and asset characteristics.

Findings:

• A replicable procedure for health asset mapping was designed, suitable for all ages and demographic groups.
• Data was uploaded to a geographical information system (GIS), enabling dynamic information presentation.
• The process facilitated a broader interpretation of data by integrating diverse asset information.

Implications:

• The redefined methodology offers a valuable tool for local administrations to address health inequalities through informed, participatory processes.
• Dynamic data visualization through GIS enhances the understanding and communication of health asset information.
• This approach promotes a more comprehensive and actionable understanding of community health assets.