HEALTH MAPPING: PURPOSE & HISTORY

A specialized version of Community MAPPING, Health MAPPING presents opportunities for rural residents, community leaders, and health care providers to effectively work together to improve the overall health of their community. Beginning in 1996, Health MAPPING and has expanded and evolved through additional community work. With financial support from the Illinois Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and the Illinois Department of Public Health - Center for Rural Health, Health MAPPING seeks to strengthen local health promotion through a holistic community development approach. Health MAPPING defines community health as the integration of health care services, health education, and environmental health within the broad context of the economic vitality of a community.

Pre-mapping endeavors during FY 2000 included collaboration with the Western Illinois University's Department of Community Health and Health Services Management and the Office of Rural Health Services to provide technical assistance to several local health care providers. IIRA facilitators and researchers studied the potential for rural health care clinics, conducted comprehensive community health care needs assessments, and facilitated community roundtables and focus groups. These consultations demonstrate services that can be provided as a prelude to a Health MAPPING process. In FY 2001, Hancock County residents and Hamilton County residents participated in four, 4-hour visioning sessions in their communities to begin envisioning a healthier community and developing an action plan to achieve their goals. As a result of this process, they established high priority community goals, and then formed Project Action Teams to carry out these locally-generated ideas. Similarly, Washington County residents completed this process in the spring of 2002. Some high priority goals these communities identified address improving elder services in the community, targeting recruitment and retention opportunities for health professionals, increasing awareness and appreciation for community health, ensuring thoughtful and managed community growth, and sustainable management of environmental resources. MAPPING the Future of Your Community's Health has helped residents build consensus, identify needs, and develop action plans.

Mapping Participant Quotes:

"The process brought a variety of leaders together to focus on the needs of the county."

"I liked learning how a community goes about planning change and how to get people motivated."

"The statistical information was helpful. I liked everyone's involvement."

"I liked looking at needs and working for solutions. I have a better knowledge of the whole area of community health."