GIS for Public Health

     Chronic disease contributes to premature death and disability. Based on data from 2013, seven of the top ten causes of death in the United States are chronic conditions. (See Figure 1) The shift in leading causes of death and disability from acute, infectious diseases to chronic conditions has paralleled the paradigm shift in healthcare delivery and reimbursement. The new healthcare delivery model focuses on a more client centered approach based on the Triple Aim, which includes improving the patient experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of healthcare. The reimbursement method is changing as result as well from a fee-for-service payment method to an outcome based payment system.

     As a result of the changes in disease prevalence, delivery models, and reimbursement systems there has been an increased focus on the importance of health education and prevention in healthcare. Clemson Extension and Greenville Health Systems (GHS) has formed a partnership under a Duke Endowment grant in order to pilot a new method of health education programming and development. In addition, the partnership is piloting tailored health education with low-income, chronically-ill, uninsured populations who have high incidences of emergency department visits in Greenville County in South Carolina. If successful in improving rates of chronic conditions and reducing unnecessary emergency department visits, the program has the potential to spread to other counties across the state and to be implemented in other states.

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