Standard 1.3: Data Analysis

Standard 1.1

Standard 1.2

Standard 1.3

Standard 1.4

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Standard 1.3: Analyze public health data to identify trends in health problems, environmental public health hazards, and social and economic factors that affect the public's health

Data analysis involves the examination and interpretation of data with the goal of drawing conclusions that inform planning, decision making, program development, and evaluation. The purpose of data analysis is to identify and understand current, emerging, or potential health problems or environmental public health hazards. Data can identify trends in behaviors, disease incidence, opinions, and other factors that aid in understanding health issues and in designing and evaluating programs and interventions.

Required documentation by measure

Keep these considerations in mind when selecting documentation for this standard:

Reports containing analysis can focus on specific health issues or community health in general
Documentation from an agency's CHA can be used to show data analysis (see standard 1.1)
For measure 1.3.1 A, reports containing analysis can be for the public health community and therefore do not need to have a specific target audience
For measure 1.3.2 L, reports need to be directed at a target audience and distribution should be documented
For measure 1.3.2 L, the health department does not need to develop the reports it distributes; reports not produced by the LHD must have a connection to the jurisdiction or population, or contain significant public health information

Measure 1.3.1 A: Analyze and draw conclusions from public health data

Required Documentation	Examples
1. Reports containing data analysis and conclusions
2. Meetings to review and discuss selected reports

Measure purpose: to assess the health department's capacity to analyze and utilize public health data to identify trends over time, clusters, health problems, behavioral risk factors, environmental public health hazards, and social and economic conditions that affect the public's health.

Measure 1.3.2 L: Provide public health data to the community in the form of reports on a variety of public health issues, at least annually

Required Documentation	Examples
1. Analytic reports (and proof of distribution) about public health issues

Measure purpose: to assess the local health department's provision of community public health data and analysis to the community it serves.