Authors: Généreux M, Tracey S, O’Sullivan T.
Chapter 3.1 describes key factors to consider when using asset mapping to support research into health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM), including:
- The tradition of community health outcome measurement in disaster research.
- The concept of asset literacy and how it can be leveraged as an outcome of asset mapping to support disaster risk reduction.
- The value of engaging key stakeholders from the outset in order to develop a common vision of health deficits and assets and identify solutions to maximize community resilience.
- The use of an asset lens in outcome measurement studies in pre- and post-disaster contexts.
What is this chapter about?
People making decisions about Health EDRM usually don’t have sufficient information on the availability of critical social infrastructure. Research that uses asset mapping methodology can help decision-makers identify resources that promote health and resilience in a community or organization.
This chapter describes asset mapping as it relates to the measurement of outcomes and stakeholder engagement, and the relevance of asset literacy from a public health perspective. It also focuses on how community assets might support resilience. The chapter shows how a research study done following the 2013 Lac-Mégantic train derailment and explosion in Canada combined these concepts in a community initiative to measure asset-based outcomes, map community assets and engage stakeholders in the monitoring of long-term impacts and the community recovery.
Case studies presented in the chapter
- Research into the psychosocial impacts of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic train explosion in Quebec, Canada.
What are the key messages of this chapter?
- A balanced paradigm which recognizes both assets and risks is needed to support better outcome measurement in disaster research.
- Stakeholder engagement must be part of asset mapping to ensure broad community perspectives and that local context is included in assessment and measurement.
- Asset mapping can inform outcome measurement, but it is important that indicators reflect a balanced paradigm by including appropriate measures that consider assets in a community.
- Asset literacy is both a process and an outcome measure, which emphasizes local knowledge and intervention strategies that support community participation.
