A Web Enabled Public Health Infrastructure to

Advance Community Empowerment in Public Health Decision Making

Description

    The project aims to use enhanced internet technology to encourage community involvement in public health decision making. A web-enabled infrastructure based on Geographic Information System (GIS) will be developed to allow access, analysis, and sharing of georeferenced information to understand health inequity. Such information includes disease, socioeconomic characteristics, demography, public infrastructure, etc. The platform will facilitate local government, community organizations, and resident populations to better understand the direct and indirect impact of spatial planning on health and to reach a consensus on neighborhood redevelopment around health promotion.

    The online system will have three components:

           1.  a database spatially referenced health-related information from
                different sources;

           2.  a set of online tools to access, visualize, and analyze the data; and

           3.  an online meeting place to share information and resources.

The utility of the system will be evaluated through case studies in two minority neighborhoods in San Francisco: SOMA and Visitation Valley. San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) will be the initial project partner.

Mentors

Dr. Bhatia has served as principal investigator of numerous public health grants and contracts focusing on the environmental and occupational health of populations including minorities and the disadvantaged. His current research includes a participatory research project funded by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) which focuses on economic and environmental justice issues affecting Day Laborers. In addition to his professional appointments, Dr. Bhatia serves on the Boards of Pesticide Action Network and the Sambhavna People’s Health and Documentation Clinic in Bhopal, India; chairs the Health and Social Justice Committee of the National Association of City and County Health Officers, and is member of the Nutrition Advisory Board to the Oakland Unified School District. http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/eh/phes/staff_biographies.htm

Dr. Ona has served as principal investigator of many public health grants and contracts focusing on environmental justice, food assistance, and sustainable agriculture. His current research includes a EPA-funded study on green programs and compliance education in environmental health. Dr. Ona has lectured extensively at professional meetings and workshops and is proficient in several languages.