Public health research has traditionally focused on problems, deficiencies, disease, and contributing factors to public health problems. In recent years, community health assessments have also included community assets or resources. The process of identifying these contributions to the public health of a community is called asset mapping. One strategy for identifying assets is geographic information system (GIS) mapping. Although the asset-mapping approach to community health assessment is appealing for many reasons, not every asset map is successful or yields results that would be relevant to a community health assessment or public health program. It is important to know the benefits and limitations of asset mapping with regard to community health assessment.

For this week's Discussion, review the media titled Identifying Assets. Consider the use of community assets in Belize. Using this information, and the information you gathered in the Resources, consider the benefits and limitations to using community asset mapping and GIS in community health assessment.

With these thoughts in mind:

An explanation of one benefit and one limitation of using asset mapping in community health assessment. Provide a specific example of when you might use asset mapping and explain why. Then, explain one benefit and one limitation for the use of geographic information systems (GIS) mapping. Provide a specific example of when you might use GIS and explain why.