Using Google Earth as an Innovative Tool for Community Mapping

SYNOPSIS

Maps are used to track diseases and illustrate the social context of health problems. However, commercial mapping software requires special training. This article illustrates how nonspecialists used Google Earth^TM, a free program, to create community maps. The Bronx, New York, is characterized by high levels of obesity and diabetes. Residents and medical students measured the variety and quality of food and exercise sources around a residency training clinic and a student-run free clinic, using Google Earth to create maps with minimal assistance. Locations were identified using street addresses or simply by pointing to them on a map. Maps can be shared via e-mail, viewed online with Google Earth or Google Maps, and the data can be incorporated into other mapping software.

Authors: Theodore B. Lefer, Matthew R. Anderson, Alice Fornari, Anastasia Lambert, Jason Fletcher and Maria Baquero

Source: Public Health Reports, July-August 2008, 123: 474-480, Available at www.publichealthreports.org

Sources of Food and Exercise around the Montefiore Comprehensive Health Care Center; Legend: Red cross = Comprehensive Health Care Center; Grocery cart = Grocery Store (n =10); Fork and Knife = Restaurants (n=16); Red dot = Fast Food outlet (n=32); Yellow dot = Bodegas (small variety stores, n=44); Green tree = Exercise site (n=11). Note the old Yankee stadium on the lower left of the map.

Food stores around ECHO Free Clinic, ranked by variety and quality of produce for sale; Legend: Red Cross = ECHO Free Clinic; Small red icon of shopping cart = “no variety” (n=33) ; Yellow cart = “Poor variety” (n=67); Blue cart = “Limited variety” (n=50); Darker green cart = “Better variety” (n=11); Larger, lighter green cart = “Good variety” (n=15) ; Blue -shaded area = Study area

If you are interested, you can also download the original KMZ file.

posted by: Matt Anderson