Abstract

Using Hot-Spot Analysis to Target Women, Infant and Children Services
Track: Health and Human Services
Authors: Thomas Stopka, Christopher Krawczyk, Pat Gradziel

Spatial analyses were conducted using ArcGIS10 to provide an evidence-based methodology for the California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program to identify unmet need. WIC data were merged with vital statistics data for all documented births in California in 2008. Final analyses focused on mothers who were eligible to receive WIC services (i.e., had Medi-Cal coverage) but who did not ultimately receive them. Spatial autocorrelation techniques were conducted to determine the distance at which clustering of such unmet need was most significant and hot-spot analyses were subsequently conducted to identify clusters of WIC eligibles on the census tract level. Results were used to guide funding decisions at the state, county and local level and provided key information to local WIC directors to determine whether new or expanded clinic services were needed. Similar analyses can be conducted for other programs and in other states to better target needed public health services.