31 - Using Maps to Address Data Gaps: Developing and using geospatial mapping and data visualization to empower public health departments’ strategic implementation to End the HIV Epidemic

Abstract Information: A geographic information system (GIS) is a powerful system and tool, integrating maps and data to analyze patterns and relationships within a geographical context, thereby improving public health planning, decision-making, and communication. We will illustrate GIS concepts and how this interactive and engaging tool can assess the reach of health and service providers, identify areas that are high needs and are underserviced, and ultimately foster data review and analysis in new innovative ways which will drive and inform enhanced efforts for capacity building, program strategizing, and data-driven implementation. Using this essential tool as part of a strategic planning and coaching approach with public health leaders and implementers, the opportunities to strengthen the current system of care to reach those individuals that are not currently being served become more apparent. In this presentation, we will describe the innovative process used by CAI’s (Cicatelli Associates Inc.) Technical Assistance Provider-innovation network (TAP-in) to provide technical assistance (TA) to Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) funded jurisdictions (usually public health departments) to improve HIV health outcomes. Our process includes three major stages that are generalizable for different evaluation and program contexts. The first section focuses on data collection, which involves unique and collaborative approaches depending on the availability and usage of data within jurisdictions. We will describe how we collaborate with jurisdictions to collect data around their HIV continuum and systems of care. The second section involves map construction, including integrating several layers of data from ArcGIS databases alongside external data sources to create comprehensive and informative maps. We will specifically demonstrate how we used geospatial data to create visually engaging ArcGIS maps for CAI’s intensive technical assistance events that support HRSA-funded EHE jurisdictions to make “Big Bets” or focused investments with their priority populations or communities with HIV who are not currently being served by their Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program system of care. Finally, the third stage focuses on the application – providing technical assistance and dynamic demonstrations to jurisdictions, building their capacity to analyze and leverage GIS data for project implementation and strategy design. We will describe how the maps were used during and after these “Big Bet” intensive TA sessions to support data-driven programmatic and strategy development capacity building and engagement of new and diverse stakeholders to support more inclusive program implementation so that people with HIV (PWH) from some of communities are able to engage with a system of care that serves them. Further, successes, challenges, and lessons learned from working with both state and county public health departments and building the capacity of evaluators and non-evaluators to use geospatial data strategically will be discussed.