Community Health Data Base (CHDB)

The Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) compiles local, population-based data for use in health planning, policy and program development by local health and social service organizations, for use in research, and for the education of health practitioners. Basic information and popular tables are available via the Web. The full datasets are available to Jeffersonians for use with SPSS or SAS to answer custom queries (SPSS statistical software is available in AISR's Edison Learning Resources Center, SAS software is available in AISR's Scott Learning Resources Center).

The CHDB is built around the Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey, which is administered every two years. U.S. Census and vital statistics data are also included. Jefferson now subscribes to the data in two formats:

1. The full datasets (2004-2008), downloadable in SPSS or SAS format; and
2. Web-based access to PHMC's site for basic tables from 2000 forward. (Internet Explorer or Safari browser required)

This source of local information is particularly strong because it contains:

• data that can be examined by different levels of geography, including census tract, health district, Minor Civil Division, and ZIP code, as well as by county and region;
• longitudinal data that can be used as a baseline to measure changes in health, social status and access to care over time; and
• data that are community-based, rather than resource-based.

Data are available now (Jefferson Campus Key required). AISR includes CHDB training in its regular workshop series, faculty development curriculum, and course-integrated instruction where appropriate.

For further information about the Community Health Data Base, please contact:

Diana Ryan, Director of Collection Management
Diana.Ryan@jefferson.edu
215-503-2829