A New Web Tool for U.S. State-Based Health Data

Jeff LancashireU.S. National Center for Health

Statistics (NCHS)

Typical Web User?

What Data Users Want

• Easy navigation – a “tangle-free” web site• Data by subject matter• Ability to cross-tabulate by age, gender,

race/ethnicity• State/geographical comparisons• Easy navigation!

What Data Users Want

• Easy navigation – a “tangle-free” web site• Data by subject matter• Ability to cross-tabulate by age, gender,

race/ethnicity• State/geographical comparisons• Easy navigation!

What Data Users Want

• Easy navigation – a “tangle-free” web site• Data by subject matter• Ability to cross-tabulate by age, gender,

race/ethnicity• State/geographical comparisons• Easy navigation!

What Data Users Want

• Easy navigation – a “tangle-free” web site• Data by subject matter• Ability to cross-tabulate by age, gender,

race/ethnicity• State/geographical comparisons• Easy navigation!

What Data Users Want

• Easy navigation – a “tangle-free” web site• Data by subject matter• Ability to cross-tabulate by age, gender,

race/ethnicity• State/geographical comparisons• Easy navigation!

State/Geographical Comparisons

S.O.S.!An international emergency distress signal based on a Morse Code pattern of dots and dashes, which also has been known by some to mean “Save Our Souls.”

“Stats of the States”

Promoting A New Web Tool

Communicating to the Public

Promoting a New Web Tool

• Home Page - “What’s New”• Navigation Bar – Press Room• Promotion on other materials• Word-of-mouth opportunities• Social media• Traditional media outreach

The NCHS Press Room

Promoting a New Web Tool

• Home Page - “What’s New”• Navigation Bar – Press Room• Promotion on other materials• Word-of-mouth opportunities• Social media• Traditional media outreach

Promoting a New Web Tool

• Home Page - “What’s New”• Navigation Bar – Press Room• Promotion on other materials• Word-of-mouth opportunities• Social media• Traditional media outreach

Promoting a New Web Tool

• Home Page - “What’s New”• Navigation Bar – Press Room• Promotion on other materials• Word-of-mouth opportunities• Social media• Traditional media outreach

Promoting a New Web Tool

• Home Page - “What’s New”• Navigation Bar – Press Room• Promotion on other materials• Word-of-mouth opportunities• Social media• Traditional media outreach

Promoting a New Web Tool

• Home Page - “What’s New”• Navigation Bar – Press Room• Promotion on other materials• Word-of-mouth opportunities• Social media• Traditional media outreach

Recap: What Data Users Want

• Easy navigation – a “tangle-free” web site• Data by subject matter• Ability to cross-tabulate by age, gender,

race/ethnicity• State/geographical comparisons• Easy navigation!

Communications Challenges

• Easier to navigate – but still not perfect• Many key subjects – but can’t have everything• Doesn’t include cross-tabulation by age,

gender, race/ethnicity

Communications Challenges

• Easier to navigate – but still not perfect• Many key subjects – but can’t have everything• Doesn’t include cross-tabulation by age,

gender, race/ethnicity

Communications Challenges

• Easier to navigate – but still not perfect• Many key subjects – but can’t have everything• Doesn’t include cross-tabulation by age,

gender, race/ethnicity

Other Communications Challenges

• Data timeliness varies by state – oldest data “wins”

• Lack of uniformity• Updates – letting the public know

Other Communications Challenges

• Data timeliness varies by state – oldest data “wins”

• Lack of uniformity• Updates – letting the public know

Other Communications Challenges

• Data timeliness varies by state – oldest data “wins”

• Lack of uniformity• Updates – letting the public know

Future Communications Plans & Possibilities

• Improve the tool; add more content• Annual media outreach after SOS is updated• Web tutorial• Possible collaboration with individual States or

with international partners

Future Communications Plans & Possibilities

• Improve the tool; add more content• Annual media outreach after SOS is updated• Web tutorial• Possible collaboration with individual States or

with international partners

Future Communications Plans & Possibilities

• Improve the tool; add more content• Annual media outreach after SOS is updated• Web tutorial• Possible collaboration with individual States or

with international partners

Future Communications Plans & Possibilities

• Improve the tool; add more content• Annual media outreach after SOS is updated• Web tutorial• Possible collaboration with individual States or

with international partners