Community Health Maps (CHM) provides information about low/no cost mapping tools. It was originally developed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and is now maintained by Bird’s Eye View. It is a very succesful program with workshops having been taught numerous states.

CHM focuses on increasing mapping capacity within under-served and other at-risk communities. The CHM workflow can also be used by individuals and organizations needing to collect, analyze, and visualize mapping data. Community Health Maps is designed to facilitate the use of GIS mapping by those who understand the potential of mapping for public health but think they can’t afford it, are overwhelmed by the technology and/or are simply too busy to pursue it.  It can also support those already engaged in mapping and enhance their community mapping initiatives, even if they are using other tools.

The blog is a mixture of mapping apps/software reviews, best practices, and the experiences of those who have used the Community Health Maps workflow.

Everything provided on this site is in the public domain and free of charge.

Community Health Maps is moderated by Kurt Menke,  and open source GIS educator, author and advocate who has worked with public health applications of GIS for more than fifteen years.