Spatial analysis can reveal geographic insights about health-related public investments that remain hidden when applying a typical non-spatial perspective. This All In webinar will feature two communities using spatial analysis of local data as a tool that informs the advancement of geographic equity and improved health and well-being of residents in all areas of a city.
The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the University of Minnesota collaborated with the East Side Neighborhood Development Company to assemble data on capital allocations by neighborhood to bring greater transparency to city spending, which prompted policy reforms in selecting capital projects and improved data collection for easier tracking of spatial patterns. Because of the analysis, the St. Paul City Council passed a resolution for the Capital Improvement Budget Committee to tabulate plans by geography and to explicitly include geographic equity in the rating system for investments, and several grassroots groups are using the study to demand attention for investments in their communities.
The Center for Spatial Data Science and the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago collaborated with the Chicago Department of Public Health to determine how well the distribution of public spending on health and human services across Chicago’s geography matches with the distribution of needs across the city. By developing a process and diagnostic tool, health system planners can connect the dots between needs assessments and service investments from their city, county, and state. With the big picture in view, health planners will have a much better baseline from which to make decisions about ongoing spending once improved service contracts data become available.
Speakers will share their experience using spatial analysis in their respective fields and facilitate interactive conversation focused on effective practices to transform systems and improve the health and well-being of residents in their cities.