Using Geospatial Analysis to Inform Development of a Place-Based Integrated Care Initiative: The Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods Experience.

Katherine Todd,Jose A Salinas-Perez,Luis Salvador-Carulla,John G Eastwood,Penelope Fotheringham

doi:10.5334/ijic.5430

Abstract

Introduction:Disadvantaged families experience many barriers to accessing health and social care. The Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods (HHAN) Integrated Care Initiative was developed to address these barriers, and ensure families have their complex needs met and are kept safe and connected to society.Description:A spatial epidemiology approach was taken, as part of the HHAN feasibility phase, to identify the geographical distribution of the “most vulnerable” families in Sydney Local Health District (SLHD). A literature review was conducted to identify indicators of family stress and disadvantage, and cluster and hotspot analyses were undertaken. Hotspots of family stress and disadvantage were mapped for SLHD and used to identify areas for HHAN place-based delivery, and for collaborative co-design.Discussion:The HHAN initiative called for consideration of context and the undertaking of collaborative design with communities. The spatial analysis provided a more accurate picture of family stress and disadvantage than previously available and provided a tool that could be used during consultation and planning activities.Conclusion:When planning place-based integrated care initiatives, spatial analysis of small geographic scales can allow identification of areas of concentrated or complex disadvantage that may be masked when analysis is performed on larger areas, allowing for targeted, place-based delivery of programs to those most in need.

Highlights

Disadvantaged families experience many barriers to accessing health and social care
When planning place-based integrated care initiatives, spatial analysis of small geographic scales can allow identification of areas of concentrated or complex disadvantage that may be masked when analysis is performed on larger areas, allowing for targeted, place-based delivery of programs to those most in need
We have previously reported in this Journal on the design and proposed evaluation of the Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods Integrated Care Initiative (HHAN)

Summary

Introduction

Disadvantaged families experience many barriers to accessing health and social care. The Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods (HHAN) Integrated Care Initiative was developed to address these barriers, and ensure families have their complex needs met and are kept safe and connected to society.Description: A spatial epidemiology approach was taken, as part of the HHAN feasibility phase, to identify the geographical distribution of the “most vulnerable” families in Sydney Local Health District (SLHD). The Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods (HHAN) Integrated Care Initiative was developed to address these barriers, and ensure families have their complex needs met and are kept safe and connected to society. We have previously reported in this Journal on the design and proposed evaluation of the Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods Integrated Care Initiative (HHAN). Social disadvantage is a multi-dimensional concept, in that it incorporates the ability of people in the community to access resources and participate in the economic and social aspects of society. It arises from a complex interplay between the characteristics of residents living within a community and the effects of the social and environmental context within which they live [2]. Stressors occur either because of psychological characteristics of individuals or because of environmental factors over which the person has little control (Figure 1)

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