4258.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 4:30 PM

Abstract #21470

Choosing Our Future - A framework for Vital Signs research

Judy Rothbaum, Community Council of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 675, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0675, 405-552-5780, rothbaum@worldnet.att.net

One of the main functions of Community Council of Central Oklahoma is research. The Council monitors the well-being of Oklahoma County's citizens. This is done through a systematic process called Vital Signs that incorporates primary and secondary data sources to track thirty indicators related to children and youth and thirty indicators related to working-age adults and the elderly. Choosing Our Future serves as the framework for Vital Signs research, which monitors over time a set of key indicators focusing on economic well-being, educational achievement, health, safety, and civic participation. Data are collected annually from agencies and other institutional sources. A unique and distinguishing feature is the annual representative telephone household survey of 1200 Oklahoma County households. This survey is conducted under a contractual arrangement with the Center for Economic and Management Research at the University of Oklahoma. The centerpiece of this research is an annual telephone survey of households that keeps data fresh and relevant. The Council is currently in its fifth year of Vital Signs data. This presentation will provide an update on these efforts and give some lessons learned.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will: Understand the scope and breadth of recent activities in the development and use of indicators at the national, regional, state and local levels. Participate in a discussion of gaps in the collection and assembly of available data for use in indicators. Participate in a network of interested persons to further refine the development and use of indicators.

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.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA