Data Utilization and Interpretation Training and Resources

Analytical Methods in Maternal and Child Health Tutorials and online workbook to enhance analytical skills of maternal and child health professionals in health agencies out of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The workbook is organized around modules such as Descriptive Epidemiology and Statistical Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, Methods for Summarizing Data, Analyzing Trend Data, and Using State and National Survey Data.

Epi-Info Community Health Assessment Tutorial: The Community Health Assessment Epi Info/Epi Map tutorial was produced through the collaborative efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Assessment Initiative, and a local-state workgroup in New York. Epi Info/Epi Map software is free, designed for public health practitioners and researchers, and has the potential to be utilized by organizations with limited resources.

"From Evidence to Practice: Using a Systematic Approach to Addressing Disparities in Birth Outcomes": This free, online courses engages users to navigate the evidence-based decision-making process to identify interventions that address disparities in birth outcomes in a fictitious community of Jay County.

Guidelines for working with small numbers:Washington State Department of Health has guidelines related to health data development and use related working with small numbers, developing rates for public health assessment, selection of population denominators, using racial and ethnic groups in data analyses, and using rural-urban classification. The information is meant for professionals with basic knowledge of epidemiology and biostatistics.

Principles of Epidemiology by Satellite: This course includes five interactive videoconferences designed to empower public health workers to assume a more active role in identifying, prioritizing and addressing health risks in their communities. Lesson 1 Introduction to Epidemiology; Lesson 2 Statistical Measures Used in Epidemiology; Lesson 3 Methods of Organizing Epidemiologic Data; Lesson 4 Public Health Surveillance; Lesson 5: Investigating an Outbreak.

STATS: The Statistics Assessment Service goals are described as "to correct scientific misinformation in the media resulting from bad science, politics, or a simple lack of information or knowledge; and to act as a resource for journalists and policy makers on major scientific issues and controversies." STATS was founded in 1994, and since 2004 is affiliated with the George Mason University.

Setting Community Health Priorities: This course is designed to teach public health professionals how to set community health priorities. In this simulation, the learner assumes the role of "Local Health Planner" for the county health department. The simulation begins as the local Health Officer asks the learner to analyze last year's mortality data in order to prioritize health concerns for the following year. The learner proceeds through various tutorials and readings about related topics and then attends a simulated meeting with local community members to set health priorities for the community. The course is based on the eight steps of The Community Process, which is one part of the Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEX-PH) program. The goal for this program is for the learner to be able to follow a process that involves both the health department and the community in determining health priorities for the community by evaluating and balancing community-expressed and data-driven priorities