A SIMPLE METHOD FOR ANALYZING AND PRESENTING HEALTH DATA

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A SIMPLE METHOD FOR ANALYZING AND PRESENTING
HEALTH DATA

• Charles J. Vukotich, Jr.
• cvukotich_at_achd.net
• http//info.co.allegheny.pa.us/services/achd/

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• This lecture is one of series produced by the
  Allegheny County Health Department (PA),
  Bethlehem Health Bureau (PA) and the City of
  Elizabeth Department of Health Human Services
  (NJ).
• The organizers of this project are scholars in
  the Northeast Regional Public Health Leadership
  Institute, Class of 2000. For information
  contact dcw01_at_health.state.ny.us

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• Charles J. Chuck Vukotich, Jr.
• Assistant Deputy Director
• 25 years in public health in a variety of
  management Roles
• Carnegie Mellon University
• BS, Chemistry
• MS, Public Management and Policy, H. John Heinz
  School of Public Management and Policy
• Member of Tau Beta Pi, and Phi Kappa Phi

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• Chuck Vukotich has spent many years of his
  professional career applying management tools to
  public health. He developed the first program
  plans for the Allegheny County Health Department.
  He has worked in improving budgeting and fiscal
  forecasting. He has led the reorganization of
  several programs, and participated in department
  wide reorganization. He is presently working on
  planning, including the applications of MAPP,
  benchmarks and indicators.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• To understand the importance of data for planning
  and decision making.
• To understand the concept of racial and ethic
  disparities.
• To understand basic concepts of data
  presentation.
• To understand the basic concept of fitting a
  straight line to data.

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PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

• Know how to calculate an average.
• Know how to do a linear regression using EXCEL.
• Know how to create a graph in EXCEL.
• Know how to determine if a racial disparity
  exists.
• Know how to calculate rate of change.

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Data is Important

• Decision making, strategic Planning and program
  design should be data driven.
• Data must be communicated in a way that is
  understandable by all, especially members of the
  community.
• This is one way to present health data using
  readily available tools, basic analysis and
  simple presentation.

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Look at 5 Years of Data

• A change in one year usually doesnt mean
  anything.
• Collect the 5 most current years of data and look
  at this.
• Use age adjusted data, where available.
• Use rates when possible.

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Has this Disease Increased or Decreased Over 5
Years ?
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MethodHealth/Disease Indicators
Positive rate of change indicates that these
lines are all increasing
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Regression Analysis EXCEL Screen
Add numbers and divide by 5, its just the
average.
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Regression Output
This tells how good the data fits a straight
line think of this as a percent, 100 is
perfect 78 is good.
The X Variable Coefficient.
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RATE OF CHANGE
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Plot the Data

• People like to see the data plotted out.
• It gives them a feel for the data.
• It makes them comfortable.
• Its easy to do using Excel.
• See screen print on next slide.

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EXCEL Screen
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Determine Disparities

• You can determine racial/ethnic disparities by
  comparing the 5 year averages between groups.
• There may be many reasons for disparities, but a
  gap of 30 or greater indicates that the gap is
  real, and not just from random forces.
• A DISPARITY MAY NOT EXIST.

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Can We Meet the 2010 Goal?

• We can project using regression analysis data
• Example
• 7.64 2,721.14 (-1.35 x 2,010)

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Can We Meet the 2010 Goal?

• HP 2010 Goal for Colorectal Cancer is 13.9 deaths
  per 100,000
• Projected Value is 7.64 deaths per 100,000
• Assumes that current trend will continue.
• Projection may not be statistically valid.
• BUT, its a good what-if for strategic
  purposes, but just dont take it too seriously.

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PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
CAUSE OF DEATH
Goal is Healthy People 2010 Goal.