Data Sets: State and Local

State and local data can be found through federal government and national organization web sites.

Federal Government and National Organization Sources

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/>
Mentioned previously in this chapter as one of the data sets available from the CDC, BRFSS can be used to access state and local data. BRFSS is the world’s largest telephone survey; it tracks health risks of adults (persons over 18) in the United States. States can add questions on a wide range of important health issues, such as diabetes, arthritis, tobacco use, folic acid consumption, health care coverage, and even terrorism. For example, following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut added questions to their Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys to measure the psychological effects of this traumatic event. BRFSS data can also be analyzed to examine smaller geographic areas within states. In 2003, CDC analyzed 2002 BRFSS state data for SMART BRFSS (Selected Metropolitan/ Micropolitan Area Risk Trends from the BRFSS). This project produced data for 98 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs) and showed that the prevalence of high-risk health behaviors varied substantially among selected MMSAs.

Child Stats – Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics
<http://www.childstats.gov/>
This web site provides federal and state statistics and reports on children and their families.

FEDSTATS – Federal government
<http://www.fedstats.gov/>
Provides access to official statistics collected and published by more than 100 federal agencies, much of it at the state level.

State & County QuickFacts – U.S. Census Bureau
<http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/>
QuickFacts tables are summary profiles showing frequently requested data items from various Census Bureau programs. Profiles are available at the national, state, and county level.

State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey - CDC
<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm>

State Health Departments - CDC
<http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/international/relres.html>

State Profiles - Children’s Defense Fund
<http://www.childrensdefense.org/data/childreninthestates/default.aspx>

State Health Facts Online - Kaiser Family Foundation
<http://www.statehealthfacts.kff.org/>

Statistics for Cities and Other Places – U.S. Census Bureau
<http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/places.htm>
Access to statistics for locations smaller than states, e.g., Grafton, West Virginia.

State and Local Data Sources

Many states have their own systems for reporting data. Usually these systems include births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. A core public health function is statewide injury data collection and analysis. This data collection provides data for mortality statistics found on most state public health web sites. Check individual state public health department web sites to find what is provided. Often local statistics are available by census tract, community, county, and region. Cities and regions are also providing Internet access to data.

Arizona Public Health Services
<http://www.hs.state.az.us/plan/index.htm>
Provides population-level data on patterns and trends in health status of Arizonans.

California Department of Health Services
<http://www.dhs.ca.gov/>

This web site provides a link to the County Health Status Profiles <http://www.dhs.ca.gov/hisp/chs/PHweek/CProfile2004/
Profile2004.pdf> annual report which offers a snapshot of key health indicators in each county.

EpiQMS – Washington State Department of Health and Pennsylvania Department of Health
<http://ecapps.health.state.pa.us/epiqms/>
This is an interactive health statistics web site that can produce numbers, rates, graphs, charts, maps, and county profiles using various demographic variables (age, sex, race, etc.) from birth, death, cancer, and population datasets for the state and counties.

MASSCHIP - Massachusetts Community Health Information
<http://masschip.state.ma.us/>
This site provides health statistics for the entire state and cities and regions within the state. It allows one to use data to create predefined or custom reports. Access to the site is free but requires registration.

Texas Center for Health Statistics
<http://www.tdh.texas.gov/chs/default.htm>
The Center provides statistical health information from official sources in Texas. Some data are accessible online.