The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62765

Deborah G. Lischwe, MS¹, Joel B. Cowen, MA², Rick Barbieri, MA³, and James C Hagen, PhD, MPH³. (1) Health Systems Research, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107, 815-395-5765, dlischwe@uic.edu, (2) Health Systems Research, Universtiy of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107, (3) DuPage County Health Department, 111 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

Health departments depend on data and analysis as a prelude to responsive and effective service delivery planning. Assessing the needs of communities uses a variety of models, many of which rely upon vital statistics. The 2000 Census provides rich opportunities for detailed analyses. While health departments typically realize the importance and dimensions of vital statistics, they may lack the expertise or are unable to devote adequate resources for thorough and comprehensive analysis.

DuPage County Health Department serves a rapidly growing population just outside of Chicago, Illinois. As a foundation for its planning efforts, DuPage County Health Department collaborated with Health Systems Research of the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford to conduct and publish Vital Statistics of DuPage County:2000. Health Systems Research, the research arm of the College of Medicine, provides internal planning, evaluation and institutional research to the university as well as extensive consultation and social research for health and human service organizations throughout northern Illinois. As a result of this partnership, the health department acquired tools to examine the county's emerging health trends while Health Systems Research was able to connect a county-based health assessment to the training of medical professionals.

Learning Objectives:

Based on the session's information and structure, participants will be able to
• identify the benefits of an academic-county health department partnership
• understand the importance of vital statistics data and analysis as a solid base for county health department planning
• relate the usefulness and applications of this model to their own circumstances and professional environment

Keywords: Public Health Research, Health Information

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.