Data
Local Data Sources
Cooley Dickinson Hospital's 2011 Community Health Assessment includes data from Hampshire and Franklin Counties, as well as community-specific data for Amherst, Easthampton and Northampton. It features several types of data, including: Demographics, Birth & Death data, Chronic Diseases, Substance Abuse, Food and Fitness Environment, Health Behaviors and Health Care Access.
Massachusetts Data Sources
The 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book The Data Book compares indicators of child well-being apples-to-apples across states to give a clear picture of what is happening in our nation. Also included in the Data Book is an annual essay titled "Promoting Opportunity for the Next Generation" on how children are faring in the wake of the economic downturn and the worsening picture for vulnerable children and families.
The Health and Risk Behaviors of Massachusetts Youth, 2009 from the Massachusetts Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Public Health presents key indicators of the behavioral and health risks reported by middle school and high school youth including tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; behaviors leading to injuries, such as drinking and driving, fighting, and suicide attempts; dietary behaviors and physical inactivity; sexual behaviors that may lead to sexually transmitted disease or pregnancy, prevalence of health-related conditions such as obesity, chronic disease, oral health problems, and mental health concerns.
Massachusetts Community Health Information Profile (MassCHIP)
A dynamic, user-friendly information service that provides free, online access to health and social indicators. With MassCHIP, you can obtain community-level data to assess health needs, monitor health status indicators, and evaluate health programs.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Publications and Statistics
This website has publications and statistics from DPH Profile of Drug Indicators in Massachusetts.
White House Drug Policy
• Types of drug offenses
• Admissions to treatment
• Federal sentencing statistics
• Who’s funded by whom to do drug prevention and treatment
• Arrest data
• Use and dependence prevalence
• Court and Corrections data
Massachusetts Department of Education School and District Profiles
• Enrollment
• Expenditure
• Test results
• Attendance and dropout rate
• Plans after graduation
Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development
• Employment and Unemployment
• Industry information
• Property value and tax rate
• Building permits
Massachusetts State Youth Risk Behavior Survey data
• Tobacco Use
• Alcohol and Other Drug Use
• Suicidal Thinking and Behavior
• Violence-Related Behaviors
• Sexual Behaviors
• Nutrition and physical activity
Massachusetts Geographic Information System
Make maps using:
• Image Data
• Political/Regional Boundaries
• Indexes
• Infrastructure (Schools, Hospitals)
• Demographics (Population)
• Topography
• Physical Resources
• Hydrographic (water-related) Features
• Conservation/Recreation
• Regulated Areas
• Environmental Monitoring
• Coastal and Marine Features
• Miscellaneous
• Order maps and CDs online
Access to Resources for Community Health
An electronic health information & resource center containing links to a multitude of health data and health information websites arranged by topic.
Commonwealth Communities
• Public school information
• Community profiles
• Summaries of municipal finances
• State legislators
• Links to Community sites
Massstats allows users to click on maps of the state, regions, and communities to see detailed information about demographics, crime, health, education, and other topics.
Regional Planning
There are two regional planning organizations in western Massachusetts: The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. The Commissions role is to increase coordination and communication among various levels of government as well as with private business and civic sectors to improve the quality of life of western Massachusetts residents.
National Data Sources
Health Indicators Warehouse is a searchable database of indicators by geography, topic, and initiative. A truly comprehensive resource and worth visiting first!
DataPlace
• Census Data
• Housing Data
• Maps
• Area Profiles
• Other Data Resources on the Web
• Charts and tables
Census 2000 Demographic Profiles
• Population data by age and race
• Housing data
• Educational data
• Employment status
• Income and poverty status
Census 2000 American Factfinder
• Population
• Housing
• Economics
• Employment
National Center for Health Statistics
• Document the health status of the population and of important subgroups
• Identify disparities in health status and use of health care by race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, region, and other population characteristics.
• Describe our experiences with the health care system
• Monitor trends in health status and health care delivery
• Identify health problems
• Support biomedical and health services research
• Provide information for making changes in public policies and programs
• Evaluate the impact of health policies and programs
Kaiser State Health Facts
• Provides data on more than 500 health topics
Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce
• Health Statistics
• National Public Health Data Sets
• State and Local Public Health Data Sets
• Public Health Infrastructure Data
Child Trends Data Bank
• Child Characteristics
• Family Characteristics
• Community Characteristics
Child Welfare League of America National Data Analysis System
• Administrative Data
• Adoption
• Child Abuse and Neglect
• Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
• Child Care Services
• Children's Health
• Fiscal Data
• Juvenile Justice
• Outcomes
• Out of Home Care
• Population Data
National Youth Risk Behavior Survey data
• Tobacco Use
• Alcohol and Other Drug Use
• Suicidal Thinking and Behavior
• Violence-Related Behaviors
• Sexual Behaviors
• Nutrition and physical activity
Monitoring the Future
Survey measures behavior, attitudes, and values about:
• Drug Use
• Delinquency
• Victimization
• Changing gender roles
• Social institutions
• Energy and ecology
• Social and ethical attitudes
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
• Health-Related Behaviors from Asthma to Substance Abuse
KIDSCOUNT
• Age and Sex
• Race and Hispanic Origin
• Income and Poverty
• Employment and Education
• Language
Healthy People 2010
Leading Health Indicators
• Physical activity
• Overweight and obesity
• Tobacco use
• Substance abuse
• Responsible sexual behavior
• Mental health
• Injury and violence
• Environmental quality
• Immunization
• Access to health care
County Health Rankings
• Health behaviors
• Clinical care indicators
• Social and economic indicators
• Physical environment factors
The Food Atlas
Presents data on a variety of indicators related to food access (proximity to grocery store, availability of food stores, availability of restaurants, and food insecurity are some examples).
ZipSkinny provides an interesting "first glance" at a ZIP Code area, but it should only be seen as that -- a first glance. Provides basic demographic information by zipcode and allows for comparing zip codes.
Youth Surveys
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey measures youth behaviors such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; sexuality; eating and physical activity; and violence. Here’s a link to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website page.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Survey monitor youth behavior by surveys and other methods.
The Communities That Care survey measures certain youth behaviors such as alcohol, drug, and tobacco use and also measures the risk and protective factors that predict these youth behaviors.
The Prevention Needs Assessment Survey is used by several school districts in the Western Mass region.
Pride youth surveys are also used in Massachusetts
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