Community-based organizations, environmental health groups, public health agencies, and emergency management departments are in a better position to serve their populations when they are able to collect and maintain their own data, rather than relying solely on national or state agencies, or on majority-institution partners to provide data to them.

The National Library of Medicine Community Health Maps (CHM) offers information and guidance regarding low and no cost resources to help students, teachers, community members, and researchers.* It is a mixture of mapping apps/software reviews, best practices, and the experiences of those who have successfully implemented a mapping workflow as part of their work.

Examples of maps created using the CHM workflow include ones related to:

• Noise pollution and health
• Food and water access differences across an East Coast island
• Curb Ramp Accessibility around an assisted living facility
• Locations of migrant camps and urgent care facilities in Charleston, SC
• Water depth, salinity, E. Coli and coliform bacteria in yards, streets, and parks associated with Miami King Tides.

Learn more:

https://communityhealthmaps.nlm.nih.gov/

https://infocus.nlm.nih.gov/2018/04/04/nlm-community-mapping-creating-supporting-citizen-scientists-communities/

*The National Library of Medicine does not endorse any particular product, service, or developer.