500 Cities Project: Local Data for Better Health

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How can you use data to improve health in your area?

The 500 Cities dataset tries to provide an answer.

The data set, which contains estimates of adult chronic disease, unhealthy behaviors, and preventive care for census tracts in 500 of the largest American cities, launched in 2016 thanks to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the CDC Foundation.

The Urban Institute released a research report in May 2017 on how to use the data to reach change-making partners.

Access the data set here and register for a webinar on Tuesday, June 13, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (EST) with Urban Institute to learn how to host a local event centered on the new 500 Cities neighborhood-level health data.

Census tract-level data allows cities to implement effective health programs and modify existing policies.

For example, in San Antonio, about 13.1% of the population is living with diabetes; however, when looking at census level data, you will see rates as low as 3.4% in some areas, to as high as 24% in others.

The areas with high diabetes rates also have high rates of heart disease, obesity, and physical inactivity, thus are the areas most in need of programs and policies to support physical activity.

These can be programs and policies across school districts to provide more time for recess and physical education, as well as programs and policies across communities to build more safe sidewalks and parks.

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By The Numbers By The Numbers

25.1

percent

of Latinos remain without health insurance coverage

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