Demographic data: Go online to the U.S. Census Bureau at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/. Obtain a range information about the demographic characteristics of the population for your city or county of residence. You may have to look at county data if your city is not listed. Discuss demographic data about age, ethnicity, poverty levels, housing, and education.

Week 2: Demographic and Epidemiological Assessment
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This week’s graded topics relate to the following Course Outcome (CO).
• CO2: Assess the health needs of individuals, families, aggregates, and communities using demographic and epidemiological data to identify population health risks. (PO4)
For this discussion, you will collect assessment data about your city or county. This post will include information about demographics (general characteristics). You will then find epidemiological data (disease or health behavior rates) about one priority health problem in your community.
1. Demographic data: Go online to the U.S. Census Bureau at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/. Obtain a range information about the demographic characteristics of the population for your city or county of residence. You may have to look at county data if your city is not listed. Discuss demographic data about age, ethnicity, poverty levels, housing, and education.
2. Epidemiological data: Go to your city or county health department website (search the Internet) or County Health Rankings (http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/), and report epidemiological data about one priority health problem in your area. Examples include diabetes, heart disease, addiction, obesity, teen pregnancy, and more. Be sure that you accurately report how each statistic is measured. In the County Health Rankings site, you can hover over the category, and it will explain how it is measured.
3. How do the demographic characteristics of your community influence the health problem you chose?

Demographic and epidemiological data are objective assessment data that you can use to assess your local/state/national community. A windshield survey that you do for your first assignment is subjective assessment data. Both types of data are needed in order to do a comprehensive community assessment. The two types of data are not the same. The differences are explained here…

Census data or demographic data pertains to population numbers (population-based data) and the various divisions of populations (race, gender, age groups, number of people without insurance, poverty and income levels).

Epidemiological data pertains to the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases.

Local data may be found online, but sometimes counties do not publish the local data online. If you can’t find the data online, you may need to ask for assistance at the local health department.

State/national data is most usually found online. All you need to do is ‘google’ what it is you want to find. For instance: prevalence of heart disease in zip code [type in your local zip code or state].
The demographic and epidemiological data that you find can be used to determine/identify local health care problems and needs. Community health interventions can then be implemented to address the problems/needs.
Here is an example of how to cite the census bureau website for a town close to me (not showing the hanging indent):

United Census Bureau. (2012). State and county quickfacts: Quincy (city), Illinois. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/1762367.html

DO NOT copy and paste information from Internet sites into the discussion area.

County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. (2018). Explore rankings. Retrieved from http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/
U.S. Census Bureau. (2018). State and county QuickFacts. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/