The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW) Department released its first-ever interactive map designed to connect service members and other beneficiaries to health resources in their local area, Jan. 8, 2018.
Using ArcGIS geospatial mapping technology, the HPW interactive map makes it easy for all military health beneficiaries to search for local farmers markets, commissaries, tobacco-free living programs and other resources to help prevent and manage chronic disease.
“This map was created to help our military and beneficiary community find resources they can use to better their health,” said Jenni Osborne, a certified diabetes educator, Navy retiree and NMCPHC public health educator for chronic conditions. “Most of our population moves around so much that this should help them find what they need to support their goals at any command. If they are trying to quit tobacco, lose weight or manage a chronic condition, they can find similar resources and continue working toward a healthier lifestyle no matter where they get stationed.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in every two U.S. adults has a chronic disease. In the U.S., seven of the top 10 leading causes of death are due to chronic diseases. Chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, are long-term and typically get progressively worse without proper health care. With an active lifestyle, healthy food choices, rest and being tobacco-free, everyone can reduce and prevent their risk of developing a chronic disease.
Osborne sees this map as a tool to keep active duty service members focused on readiness. “This map will help them find resources to meet the demands of a fit and fighting force and allows the service members to relax knowing their family has the resources they need to be taken care of while they are deployed.”
NMCPHC identified the need for the HPW Interactive Map after they discovered beneficiaries were unaware of the available resources in their area that could be used to improve their health. “There wasn’t a lack of health education resources, but we wanted to create a one-stop way for patients to find the resources available in their area,” said Anthony Barkley, NMCPHC HPW department head.
“When a family gets transferred, it typically takes six months to a year to find all the resources that are available around them,” said Osborne. “We also hope this map helps our medical facilities see what is needed in their area and take steps to meet those needs.”
To start using the HPW Interactive Map today, visit https://arcg.is/1908z5.
Do you host a class or refer patients to a program that you want included on the map? E-mail NMCPHC at usn.hampton-roads.navmcpubhlthcenpors.list.nmcphc-asknmcphc@mail.mil to get your resources included.
For more information about NMCPHC and HPW, visit http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Pages/Home.aspx
| Date Taken: | 01.10.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2018 08:46 |
| Story ID: | 261722 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 803 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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