What Are Some Common Databases Readily Available?
What Are Some Of The Common Databases Readily Available To Use For Pub
What are some of the common databases readily available to use for public health programs, initiatives, program planning, monitoring, and evaluation? What other databases have you used in the past? Are there other data elements you expected or wanted but failed to find a database? Include at least the U.S. Census, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), National Immunization Survey (NIS), National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), and Guttmacher Institute in your inventory.
It is suggested the student complete a chart based on the following format: Name | Type of data | Level of data | Timeframe | Location | Comments. For example:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 | Column 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) | Pregnancy and postpartum data | National, available for participating states | Annually | CDC website and/or state website | Not available for all states |
Column descriptions: Give the complete name of the database; describe the type of data found; specify the geographic level; detail the timeframe or frequency; indicate location or source; add any pertinent information such as whether it is private or government data.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence? How would the public health nurse use these concepts in examining statistics regarding the health district she resides? Give an example of when incidence would be used; give an example when using prevalence data may be more appropriate.
Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease or condition that develop in a specific population during a specified period, whereas prevalence indicates the total number of cases, both new and existing, in a population at a given point or period. A public health nurse would analyze these metrics to understand disease dynamics within the community. For example, incidence rates are useful for monitoring outbreaks or evaluating the risk of developing a disease, such as tracking new cases of influenza during flu season. Conversely, prevalence is more appropriate for assessing the overall burden of chronic conditions like diabetes at a particular point, informing resource allocation and planning.
What is the purpose of developing the Healthy People Objectives? Have you used these objectives in any of your work experience? If so, in what ways? If not, what factors have contributed to your lack of experience or exposure? Why is knowledge of epidemiology critical for population nursing practice?
The Healthy People Objectives aim to improve the health of Americans by setting national health priorities and measurable targets across various health domains. These objectives guide public health policies and interventions, foster community awareness, and serve as benchmarks for evaluating progress over time. In professional practice, health practitioners, including nurses, utilize these objectives to inform their programs, tailor interventions, and assess community health needs. My own experience with these objectives includes incorporating them into community health assessments and program planning, which enhances targeted efforts for disease prevention and health promotion.
Understanding epidemiology is essential for population nursing because it provides the foundation for identifying health trends, determining risk factors, designing interventions, and evaluating outcomes. Epidemiological knowledge enables nurses to interpret data accurately, advocate for evidence-based policies, and implement effective strategies to address health disparities within populations.
Conclusion
Access to multiple health databases such as NHANES, BRFSS, and the U.S. Census is vital for informing public health initiatives. Differentiating epidemiological measures like incidence and prevalence enhances understanding of disease trends and informs intervention strategies. The development of Healthy People Objectives aligns efforts toward measurable health improvements. For nurses working at the population level, epidemiological literacy is fundamental to effective practice, enabling evidence-based decision-making aimed at improving community health outcomes.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs
- Guttmacher Institute. (2023). Data and Analysis. https://www.guttmacher.org
- National Cancer Institute. (2023). Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program. https://seer.cancer.gov
- National Center for Health Statistics. (2022). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Healthy People 2030 Framework. https://health.gov/our-work/healthy-people/about-healthy-people
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. (2023). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/brfss
- Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). (2023). National Committee for Quality Assurance. https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/
- U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). American Community Survey. https://www.census.gov/acs
- National Immunization Survey. (2023). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/nis/index.html
- National Survey of Family Growth. (2022). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/index.htm