Library Guides: PH 290: Evidence Based Interventions for Community Health: US Census & US CDC

US Census

The US Census is the primary source of demographic information (population, household size, income, business ownership, etc) for the United States. An excellent guide to the US Census, including the American Community Survey (ACS) is at guides.lib.berkeley.edu/USCensus. A more specific guide to Census poverty data is at guides.lib.berkeley.edu/poverty.

US Census surveys include:

Decennial Census
Actually a count not a survey because data comes from every American.
American Community Survey
This survey is intended to provide the public with a current statistical average of a geographic area over specific time periods.
Economic Census
U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy.
Survey of Business Owners and Self-Employed Persons
Provides the only comprehensive, regularly collected source of information on selected economic and demographic characteristics for businesses and business owners by gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status.

Census Aggregated Data Sources

The following databases and websites allow researchers to access Census aggregated statistics (statistics that you can process into easy to use tables).

data.census.gov
Access data and digital content from the U.S. Census Bureau. Data sets from the census and the economic census are available and custom tables and maps can be created from the data. This platform replaces American FactFinder.

Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Data and interactive thematic maps from the U.S. Census from 1790-present.
Provides access to current and historical United States census data, including all historic decennial censuses and American Community Surveys, as well as other demographic information, such as religious organizations. Census data is current to 2010 and historical back to 1790. In addition to being a data resource, the web interface lets users create maps and reports to better illustrate, analyze and understand demography and social change.
QuickFacts This link opens in a new window
From the U.S. Census Bureau. Quick, easy access to facts about people, business and geography.
From the U.S. Census Bureau. Quick, easy access to facts about people, business and geography.
Statistical Abstract of the United States (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
A comprehensive collection of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States, 1878 to present.
The United States Statistical Abstract (aka Stat Ab) is useful both as a convenient source for statistical reference, and as a guide to sources of more information, in print and on the Web (when available). Sources include the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and many other Federal agencies and private organizations. Prior to 2012, the Stat Ab was provided free of charge. In 2012, Congress cancelled funding and ProQuest has continued producing the Stat Ab.
SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new window
A web-based data analysis and mapping application that allows users to create custom thematic maps, tables, and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data for the United States. Note: Access limited to 10 simultaneous users. To increase the limit temporarily for use in classes or workshops, please send your request to eart@library.berkeley.edu a minimum of 5 business days in advance.
A web-based data analysis and mapping application that allows users to create custom thematic maps, tables and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data for the United States. Includes over 70,000 data variables related to demographics, employment, real estate & housing, crime, businesses, consumer spending, and points of interest data from the US Census, historical US Census data (2000), SimmonsLOCAL data from Experian, and Nielsen Claritas PRIZM data.

National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Surveys & Data

NCHS data collection systems includes population surveys (sometimes combined with physical examinations, lab tests, & more), provider surveys, and vital statistics. Below are summaries of the current systems. More information is available at cdc.gov/nchs/surveys.htm and tinyurl.com/h9zntf8 (PDF)

National Health Interview Survey
Data Source and Methods: Personal Interviews
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Data Source and Methods: Personal interviews, physical examinations, laboratory tests, nutritional assessment, DNA repository
National Survey of Family Growth
Data Source and Methods: Personal interviews, men and women 15-44 years of age
National Vital Statistics System
Data Source and Methods: State vital registration, births, deaths, fetal deaths, linked birth/infant death program
National Death Index
Data Source and Methods: State registration areas, death certificates
National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
Data Source and Methods: Review medical records for patient visits, interview physicians and community health center providers
National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
Data Source and Methods: Review medical records on patient visit, Interview hospital administrators
National Hospital Care Survey
Data Source and Methods: Linkage to NDI and CMS data, hospital billing (UB-04), records, electronic health records, and other abstracted medical records
National Study of Long-term Care Providers
Data Source and Methods: Mail/web/telephone survey of directors of adult day care services centers and residential care communities, Administrative data from the CMS on nursing homes and residents, home health agencies and patients, and hospices and patients

Information on historical NCHS surveys is available at cdc.gov/nchs/surveys.htm#tabs-1139715-4

Accessing NCHS/Other CDC Data

BRFSS Prevalence and Trends Data
BRFSS state and MMSA information on numerous topics/categories: alcohol, physical activity, screening, injury, tobacco, fruit & vegetable consumption, and more.
CDC Community Health Status Indicators
Produces health profiles for all 3,143 counties in the US. Each profile includes key indicators of health outcomes, which describe the population health status of a county and factors that have the potential to influence health outcomes, such as health care access and quality, health behaviors, social factors and the physical environment.
CDC Wonder
Provides access to a variety Center of Disease Control reports, guidelines, and dozens of text-based and numeric databases, including vital statistics, environment, population, disease and disability, immunization, behavior and health, injuries, occupational health, and more. Export data: tab-delimited text file.
Diabetes Data & Statistics
View data and trends of diagnosed diabetes, obesity, and leisure-time physical inactivity at the national, state, and county levels.
DATA2020 Objective Search
Healthy People 2020 includes over 1,200 objectives to monitor and improve the health of all Americans over the decade. The objectives are organized into 42 Topic Areas, each representing an important public health area. See also the 2020 Topics and Objectives for overviews and links to data.
Interactive Database Systems (CDC)
Listing of dozens of interactive database systems that contain continuously updated data and provide data reports. Topics include chronic disease, environmental health, health risk behavior, and more.
National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network Data Explorer
View and download data about chemicals and other substances found in the environment; environmental facotrs such related to climate change, and chronic diseases and conditions.
Social Vulnerability Index (CDC: ATSDR)
Social vulnerability refers to the resilience of communities when confronted by external stresses on human health, stresses such as natural or human-caused disasters, or disease outbreaks. Reducing social vulnerability can decrease both human suffering and economic loss. ATSDR's Social Vulnerability Index uses U.S. census variables at tract level to help local officials identify communities that may need support in preparing for hazards, or recovering from disaster.

Additional Information on HP2020

Healthy People
Includes program planning tools, prevention initiative resources, data, and more.
Creating a Health Profile of Your Neighborhood: A How-To Guide (PDF)
From CDC's Healthy Places initiative, contains tips on learning the health issues affecting your neighbors, prioritizing needs, and taking action.
From Healthy People 2010 to Healthy People 2020: A Guide for Community Health Assessment and Planning Efforts (PDF)
Describes differences between HP2010 and HP2020 and information on target setting. From NACCHO.
Healthy People 2020 Midcourse Review
The Healthy People 2020 Midcourse Review provides a snapshot of objective progress toward meeting targets halfway through the 10-year initiative, providing a roadmap for the second half of the decade. This 820-page report provides detailed progress and health disparities data, as available, for over 1,200 objectives. Readers can download individual chapters of the report.
State and Territorial Healthy People Plans
Many States and Territories use Healthy People as a guide to improving health. Find your State or Territory below to learn about how they’re working to achieve the Healthy People 2020 goals and objectives. Some states provide statistics by race and other factors; some also display at county level.

Toward Quality Measures for Population Health and the Leading Health Indicators by IOM/NAP
Publication Date: 2013
The Institute of Medicine Committee on Quality Measures for the Healthy People Leading Health Indicators was charged to identify measures of quality for the 12 Leading Health Indicator topics and 26 Leading Health Indicators in Healthy People 2020, the current version of the Department of Health and Human Services 10-year agenda for improving the nation's health. This book also addresses data reporting and analytical capacities that must be available to capture the measures and for demonstrating the value of the measures to improving population health, and provides recommendations for how the measures can be used across sectors of the public health and health care systems.

HP2020 LHI Progress

Details for progress on each LHI may be found at tinyurl.com/LHIprogress

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PH 290: Evidence Based Interventions for Community Health: US Census & US CDC

Finding Public Health Data & Statistics

guides.lib.berkeley.edu/publichealth/ph290

Presented by Michael Sholinbeck (msholinb@library.berkeley.edu)