Geographic health information systems: a platform to support the 'triple aim'

Abstract

Despite the rapid growth of electronic health data, most data systems do not connect individual patient records to data sets from outside the health care delivery system. These isolated data systems cannot support efforts to recognize or address how the physical and environmental context of each patient influences health choices and health outcomes. In this article we describe how a geographic health information system in Durham, North Carolina, links health system and social and environmental data via shared geography to provide a multidimensional understanding of individual and community health status and vulnerabilities. Geographic health information systems can be useful in supporting the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Triple Aim Initiative to improve the experience of care, improve the health of populations, and reduce per capita costs of health care. A geographic health information system can also provide a comprehensive information base for community health assessment and intervention for accountable care that includes the entire population of a geographic area.

Keywords: Information Technology; Research And Technology.

Exhibit 1

Example Of Geographic Health Information Systems (GHIS) For Mapping The Terrain Of Diabetes In Durham County, North Carolina SOURCE Duke Health Technology Solutions Decision Support Repository (DSR), using information on boundaries and streets layers from the US Census Bureau Geography Division, census 2010; and tax-parcel data from the Durham County Tax Assessor. NOTE The elements of this GHIS map are explained thoroughly in the text.

Exhibit 2

Childhood Lead Exposure Risk Model For Durham, North Carolina SOURCE Modeled lead exposure risk based on lead screening data provided by North Carolina Division of Public Health, Children’s Environmental Health Branch; and demographic data from the 2000 US census. NOTE The elements of this geographic health information system (GHIS) map are explained thoroughly in the text.