Mapping a Shared Vision of Hope supports American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities as they strive to prevent diabetes and care for their diabetic citizens. This project guides AI/AN communities in developing effective Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and analysis strategies to aid diabetes care and prevention. The Mapping a Shared Vision of Hope Web site provides a tool for discovering spatial distributions among the health and social variables of AI/AN communities. This tool is designed for health professionals, map makers — both experienced and beginning, policy makers, and everyone who is interested in learning more about mapping methods and applications in GIS. Please explore this Web site — we hope you gain a deeper awareness of how to use mapping technologies to achieve your community goals.    GIS mapping is a powerful tool that transforms data into visual images that connect layers of information to geographic areas, such as communities or counties. Geographic Information System technology can be used for many aspects of community health care: Analyzing health disparity data; monitoring geographic patterns of diseases such as diabetes and cancer; locating and tracking populations that are “at risk;” identifying populations that lack preventive health care; and identifying access to health care services—and those who lack access. This Web site discusses the integration of GIS methods with health data through descriptions of GIS concepts, examples of GIS maps, and tools for interactive mapping and data queries.

Introduction to GIS provides a discussion of GIS concepts, links to a glossary, and map examples of GIS techniques. What is GIS? What types of data can I use in a GIS? How do I use different kinds of data in a GIS?
Interactive Mapping gives you an on-line GIS tool. Visualize different data layers on one map, analyze data for patterns, explore data with queries. This is fun, useful, and powerful!

Map Gallery includes a series of maps that illustrate how GIS technology has been used to explore diabetes and other health care issues. You might get ideas for your own Interactive Mapping!

Data Center allows you to explore data and create custom reports for health disparity, diabetes prevalence and mortality, ICD-9 mortality, and Census data.

Software Downloads provides links to Web sites for downloading free software for the Mapping a Vision of Hope application.

Resources and Programs guides you to information on the use of spatial technologies to address health care and health disparity issues. This page also provides links to programs that can assist your community with their health concerns.

Links offers numerous Web site addresses with information and resources for Geographic Information System technologies.

Glossary an alphabetical collection of terms and their meanings.

Credits and Disclaimer provides contact and disclaimer information.

Help describes the various sections of this Web site and provides general instructions for using the Interactive Mapping tool.

---