The National Center for Community Mapping leads
data capture, curation, data visualization and mapping of health and public
health conditions and activities. Our primary goal is to empower communities
through participatory mapping. By leveraging Geographic Information Systems
(GIS), we hope our center stands at the forefront of enhancing community
engagement, with a distinct focus on health equity and social determinants of
health.

Our vision

Our vision for the center is to continually
exemplify the transformative capabilities of community mapping. With an
unwavering belief in the voice of the community and our dedication to
innovative approaches, we remain committed to the journey ahead, seeking
meaningful and community-focused outcomes.

Our mission is to:

Enhance Community Engagement:

• Initiate open dialogues and foster partnerships among community members, stakeholders, and health professionals to highlight and address local health priorities.
• Use GIS tools to organize community workshops and events, promoting active involvement in both mapping and decision-making.

Empower Communities through Knowledge and Skills:

• Provide communities with the essential GIS tools and training to pinpoint and tackle their health issues.
• Advocate for community control over local health data, ensuring that residents remain at the forefront of all data-driven endeavors.

Promote Health Equity through Mapping:

• Detect and illustrate health disparities within communities to formulate specific interventions.
• Partner with local health entities to harness mapping insights, facilitating the creation of fair health policies and initiatives.

Wansoo Im, PhD, director