Background: Profiles require integration of data from multiple sources, not easily accomplished in many health departments. Demand for information by community leaders for setting health priorities is increasing. Assembling, organizing, and presenting health data that fulfills the needs of different constituencies is challenging.
Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will know issues associated with community health profiling and be familiar with results from community health profiles.
Method: Profiles used reportable disease, census, hospitalization, and vital statistics data. An intra-departmental group made decisions about denominators, age groupings, data limitations, statistical methods, and methods of presentation. There are four sections, demographics, life stages, neighborhood profiles, and thematic maps. Trend comparisons used data from 1987, 1992, and 1997. T-tests for proportions and Chi square multiple comparisons correction were used.
Findings: Evidence suggests "the city is getting healthier". For
instance, since 1992 there has been a decline in the total death
rate, with a 64% decrease in age-specific homicide rates(18 to
24) and 200% in AIDS (25 to 44). An example of community profile
is one of Jamaica, Queens. For instance, rate of hospitalization
for pneumonia and influenza for adults aged 65
and older was 50% higher than overall New York
City rate (see chart). Such profiles are thus
useful for community priority setting.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the talk, the participant will be able to articulate the issues associated with doing a community health profile
Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Disease Data
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.