Chapter
9
Public Health Data and Informatics
The need for relevant and accurate data is vital for the practice of public health. Without relevant and accurate data, public health leaders may not even know the needs of the community. Public health practitioners need sound data to support policy development and timely resource allocation.
This chapter provides resources on data collection and analysis, as well as many resources on public health data and public health informatics.
Topic Area
Resources
Topic Areas & Resources
Data Collection and Analysis
Informatics
Data Sources
- S. Census Bureau
- 500 Cities and PLACES Data Portal – CDC
- Environmental Public Health Tracking – DPH
- Population Health Information Tool – DPH
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System – CDC
- Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System – CDC
- Massachusetts Youth Health Survey – DPH
- MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey – MetroWest Health Foundation
- Community Health Needs Assessments for Nonprofit Hospitals – Attorney General’s Office (2018 is the latest data year)
- Internal local health department generated data, including inspection data, communicable disease surveillance data, and immunization data.