Purpose: To provide user-friendly county-level epidemiologic data to South Carolinians. Background: With technological advances, data warehousing, and data exchange, the amount of data available continues to increase. Epidemiologists are being called upon more frequently to provide and interpret data from numerous sources for multiple purposes. To meet these demands, annual county-level profiles were developed for all 46 South Carolina counties. Methods: South Carolina data sources (hospital discharge, emergency room visits, mortality records) were analyzed for number of events, rates (crude and age-adjusted), and cost (including lengths of hospital stay) for major chronic conditions. In addition, the South Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and population data were analyzed to provide county-level information on the prevalence of behavioral risk factors, quality of life, and population distribution. A companion document was developed to describe the data sources and methodology. The profiles were reviewed by state and local health department staff. Through local presentations, epidemiologists provided county-level health department staff with an explanation and appropriate use of the data. Results: A presentable and user-friendly county disease profile was created with a companion document describing data sources and methodology. Copies of these documents will be presented. Conclusions: County-level profiles provide a means for epidemiologists to meet the increasing need for data from the public in a responsible and efficient way. Learning Objective: Participants will be able to develop county-level disease profiles.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to develop county-level disease profiles.
Keywords: Health Information, Chronic Diseases
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.