 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Edward Waltz, PhD, The Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, University at Albany, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, 518-402-0344, ecwaltz@albany.edu, Carol-Ann Watson, MS, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University at Albany, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, Sabrina-Jaar Marzouka, JD, MPH, Dutchess County Department of Health, 387 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, and John Zanetich, Orange County Department of Health, 124 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924.
Most standard publications of New York State (NYS) vital statistics data report rates of health status indicators only down to the geographic level of entire counties. County health departments often need finer-grained analysis, to assess health conditions in cities, towns, and villages; but they often lack the staff resources to conduct these analyses themselves. Seven departments in the lower Hudson valley— the Hudson Valley Regional Health Officers’ Network (HVRHON)— have partnered with the University at Albany School of Public Health (SPH) to create the HVRHON Health Data Institute to improve data reporting for local community health assessment. External funding for the project came from a local private foundation and the NYS Department of Health, in collaboration with the NYS Association of County Health Officials.
The counties established maternal and infant health as the priority topic for Year One. SPH staff and students analyzed NYS vital statistics files and developed a large secure web site, with drill-down maps and trend graphs depicting indicators at the regional, county, and minor civil divisions levels. Throughout the project, close coordination between the counties and SPH staff has helped to shape the project to meet local needs.
Partnering between local and state health departments and our academic institution has afforded a unique opportunity for local health officials to understand maternal and infant health issues from the regional down to the very local perspective. In turn, academic researchers have gained a deeper practical understanding of local socio-economic, demographic, and health conditions in local communities.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Public/Private Partnerships
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.