Using GIS maps for measuring equitable community health and nutrition programs

Abstract Background The University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) documents the geographic data statewide community health and nutrition policy, systems, environmental change (PSE) programs for low-income communities. SNAP-Ed collaborates with communities to organize food security efforts, offer direct education, consult organizations about promoting healthy foods physical activities. UMN Extension's implemented 972 PSE 1,077 partners reached 624,129 people between 2017 2020. Methods SNAP-Ed's support population-level initiatives is intended increase access eligible individuals. Geospatial analysis can identify if program efforts reach target populations. Low-income low-food census tracts were identified by using U.S Treasury USDA, respectively. In this study, buffer boundaries set around designated programs, paralleling USDA's 10 miles rural areas one mile urban areas. Low-program their weighted population centroid or boundary's intersection buffers. Results show that 78.5% have moderate high-program access. Furthermore, tend higher percentages BIPOC poverty rates when compared low-program among Conclusions will continue use GIS understanding where promote, support, implementation therefore better audiences. Key messages Using geospatial allows us measure equity. Minnesota's has