Health Assets
Health assets are all of the resources a community inherently has that promote or protect health. Traditionally, approaches to improving health have focused on how communities have failed to avoid disease. An asset-based approach to health looks at how communities have succeeded in promoting health (1). Many of the things that are community development assets are also health assets including individual capacities and relationships, community associations, and institutions operating in the community (2). While the Northside Asset Map includes only one map that is labeled as a health map, you can really look at all the asset maps as displaying information that promotes health.
In this map, we chose to focus on displaying the distribution of recreation resources and health centers because both of these types of health resources are necessary to promote good health in every community. People living in areas with more recreation resources like parks, trails, and health clubs tend to have higher levels of physical activity (3) and lower levels of overweight and obesity (4). Active transportation options, like biking trails and sidewalks, are also associated with increased physical activity (5). Availability of clinics ensures access to primary care services to help people stay healthy and avoid disease. Primary care can improve health across an entire population (6). Access to a clinic can reduce preventable hospitalizations (7). Areas with more primary care physicians have lower rates of mortality and better overall self-reported health (6). In North Minneapolis, 41.5% of residents say their overall health is either excellent or very good, compared with 62.2% of all Minneapolis residents (8).
Health assets are all of the resources a community inherently has that promote or protect health. Traditionally, approaches to improving health have focused on how communities have failed to avoid disease. An asset-based approach to health looks at how communities have succeeded in promoting health (1). Many of the things that are community development assets are also health assets including individual capacities and relationships, community associations, and institutions operating in the community (2). While the Northside Asset Map includes only one map that is labeled as a health map, you can really look at all the asset maps as displaying information that promotes health.
In this map, we chose to focus on displaying the distribution of recreation resources and health centers because both of these types of health resources are necessary to promote good health in every community. People living in areas with more recreation resources like parks, trails, and health clubs tend to have higher levels of physical activity (3) and lower levels of overweight and obesity (4). Active transportation options, like biking trails and sidewalks, are also associated with increased physical activity (5). Availability of clinics ensures access to primary care services to help people stay healthy and avoid disease. Primary care can improve health across an entire population (6). Access to a clinic can reduce preventable hospitalizations (7). Areas with more primary care physicians have lower rates of mortality and better overall self-reported health (6). In North Minneapolis, 41.5% of residents say their overall health is either excellent or very good, compared with 62.2% of all Minneapolis residents (8).
Health Map
The health map above shows health clinics, recreation facilities, bicycle paths, and parks in North Minneapolis. Using the 'Layers' option at the top of the map, you can turn on and off the different categories. As you can see, there are some areas that have a lot of access to health resources and other areas where residents have to go farther in order to find certain resources.
The health map above shows health clinics, recreation facilities, bicycle paths, and parks in North Minneapolis. Using the 'Layers' option at the top of the map, you can turn on and off the different categories. As you can see, there are some areas that have a lot of access to health resources and other areas where residents have to go farther in order to find certain resources.
Resources
1. Morgan A, Ziglio E. Revitalizing the evidence base for public health: an assets model.
2. Mathie A, Cunningham G. From clients to citizens: Asset-based community development as a strategy for community-driven development.
3. Bauman AE, Bull FC. Environmental correlates of physical activity and walking in adults and children: A review of reviews.
4. Gordon-Larsen P, Nelson MC, Page P, Popkin BM. Inequality in the built environment underlies key health disparities in physical activity and obesity.
5. Sallis JF, Glanz K. Physical activity and food environments: Solutions to the obesity epidemic.
6. Starfield B, Shi L, Macinko J. Contribution of primary care to health systems and health.
7. Epstein AJ. The role of public clinics in preventable hospitalizations among vulnerable populations.
8. Hennepin County. SHAPE Survey 2010.
1. Morgan A, Ziglio E. Revitalizing the evidence base for public health: an assets model.
2. Mathie A, Cunningham G. From clients to citizens: Asset-based community development as a strategy for community-driven development.
3. Bauman AE, Bull FC. Environmental correlates of physical activity and walking in adults and children: A review of reviews.
4. Gordon-Larsen P, Nelson MC, Page P, Popkin BM. Inequality in the built environment underlies key health disparities in physical activity and obesity.
5. Sallis JF, Glanz K. Physical activity and food environments: Solutions to the obesity epidemic.
6. Starfield B, Shi L, Macinko J. Contribution of primary care to health systems and health.
7. Epstein AJ. The role of public clinics in preventable hospitalizations among vulnerable populations.
8. Hennepin County. SHAPE Survey 2010.