Mapping to Assess Health Inequity at the Local Level Report: Local Action First Sub-Committee

Abstract

Canada is characterized by a diversity of health inequity, social determinants and population health good practices, but is without a single model or approach that can be replicated across the country, it is generally messy and complicated. There are numerous instances of initiatives informing health inequity decision making at local levels and this study conducted an E-Scan which reviewed fifteen initiatives and conducted two in-depth case studies: Espace montrealais d’informations sur la sante (EMIS) and the Saskatoon CommunityView Collaboration (CVC). These are well established multispectral and collaborative CGDI compliant WebMapping data and information infrastructures. Recommendations are derived from the E-SCAN and the two case studies.The challenge facing the Local Action First Sub-Committee of the Canadian Reference Group of the Public Health Agency of Canada is to support a Canadian system that is diverse, grounded in local practices and that is a multi-sectoral collaboration. To support such initiatives requires an understanding and the acceptance that the effort required to enable/lead/coordinate multi-sector and multi-stakeholder collaboration is tremendous, cannot be under-estimated, and requires a degree of community development sophistication.The report identified seven dimensions that need to be considered to develop, support, grow and sustain a local health inequality mapping initiative which are described throughout the report and are reflected in the recommendation. These are:1. Focus, Approach and Health Inequity Variables2. Collaboration, Partnerships, Stakeholders and Users3. Governance4. Funding5. Local Geographies6. Mapping Systems7. Data and System AccessA series of recommendations are provided for each dimension.