Population-based data on health status and the determinants of health is critical for effective policy determination, for improving the accountability of managed care and other health care delivery organizations, public health departments, and other entities that can contribute to the public's health. In order to assist public health departments improve the availability, timeliness, accuracy, and comparability of public health assessment data in the region, the Metropolitan Washington Public Health Assessment Center has been established at the George Washington University School of Public Health. Our presentation will cover (1) the organization and operations of the Center, including coordination with local health departments, providers, community groups, and other sources/users of public health data; (2) efforts to prepare a public health report card for the Washington Metropolitan area modeled on Healthy People 2010's leading health indicators but using data that are generally available at the local level; (3) challenges in developing local-level data to assess and eliminate health disparities; (4) the technical problems (e.g. small numbers, confidentiality issues) encountered in obtaining comparable local data, illustrated through data on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases; and (5) the use of geographical information systems (GIS) and other developments in informatics in community health planning.
Learning Objectives: 1. Prepare a community health report card modeled on Healthy People 2010's leading health indicators. 2. Describe the technical issues involved in preparing local public health assessment data. 3. Assess the role of geographical information systems (GIS) and other developments in informatics in community health planning
Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Data/Surveillance
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.