Methods and Sources

Data Methods

Data definitions and calculations
Small numbers guidelines
Frequently asked questions

Data Sources

Publicly Available

American Community Survey (ACS)

The Census Bureau conducts the American Community Survey (ACS) every year. The ACS is a mandatory, ongoing statistical survey that samples a small percentage of the population every year to gather information about population characteristics, housing, and economics, among other topics.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

(Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System)

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the nation’s premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services. BRFSS collects data in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. BRFSS completes more than 400,000 adult interviews each year, making it the largest continuously conducted health survey system in the world.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

(Data | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Find a variety of data on health topics, outbreaks, and diseases from the CDC, the U.S. federal agency for Public Health.

County Health Rankings

(County Health Rankings & Roadmaps)

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps is a program of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute that draws attention to why there are differences in health within and across communities. The program highlights policies and practices that can help everyone be as healthy as possible. CHR&R aims to grow a shared understanding of health, equity, and the power of communities to improve health for all. This work is rooted in a long-term vision where all people and places have what they need to thrive. 

Economic Policy Institute

(State of Working America Data Library)

The State of Working America Data Library provides researchers, the media, and the public with easily accessible, up-to-date, and comprehensive historical data on the American labor force. It is compiled from the Economic Policy Institute's analysis of government data sources. Use it to research wages, inequality, and other economic indicators over time and among demographic groups.

Employment Security Department Labor Market

(Labor market information | Employment Security Department)

Provides data and analysis of Washington’s employment conditions, economy, job market, and workforce. Our reports can help you make informed career, hiring, and policy decisions.

Feeding America

(Interactive Data | Feeding America)

Data is one helpful tool to analyze the complex relationship between food insecurity and socioeconomic factors, while data visualizations help us see and better understand that analysis. 

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

(data.hrsa.gov Home Page)

The HRSA Data Warehouse website provides maps, data, reports, and dashboards to the public about HRSA’s healthcare programs. The data integrates with external sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, providing information about HRSA’s grants, loan and scholarship programs, health centers, and other public health programs and services.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

(National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) | IES)

 NCES has been the federal statistical agency responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on the condition of U.S. education — from early childhood to adult education — to help improve student outcomes.

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

(Data & Reporting)

OSPI collects extensive amounts of data that are used for school and district accountability, providing information to the Legislature and other stakeholders, and policymaking at the state, local, and federal levels. This page contains information about reporting to OSPI, the State Report Card, requesting data from OSPI, and other financial and programmatic reports.  

UMASS Boston Elder Index

(Homepage | Elder Index)

The Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (Elder Index) was developed by the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The Elder Index is a measure of the income that older adults need to meet their basic needs and age in place with dignity. The Elder Index is specific to household size, location, housing tenure, and health status. It includes the cost of housing, healthcare, transportation, food, and other essentials.

United States Census Bureau

(Census Bureau Data)

A complete census of all residents is conducted every 10 years in the United States. The census has a limited number of questions about the demographics of our population. 

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

(Data | US EPA)

The EPA has data on various indicators such as air, chemicals, water, and many more. You can find data by topic or location, interact with that data in web-based applications, understand how EPA uses data, and see how you can use that data, too.

University of Washington Center for Health and Global Environment

(Home | Center for Health and the Global Environment)

This program brings expertise and resources to partnerships around the world to prioritize health in climate change mitigation and adaptation and to incorporate climate resilience into all health sector activities.

Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)

(Reports | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families)

DCYF produces numerous reports throughout the year to meet state and federal requirements, detail recent research or analysis, and highlight progress on program initiatives. Along with our Agency Performance Measures, these reports provide invaluable insight into DCYF program outcomes.

Washington State Department of Commerce

(Reports and Publications – Washington State Department of Commerce)

The Department of Commerce provides reports on various topics related to homelessness and housing.

Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

(Data and Statistical Reports | Washington State Department of Health)

DOH creates data reports on health, healthcare, and the environment. Topics range from cancer and communicable diseases to drinking water and births and deaths, among others. 

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)

(Research and Data Analysis | DSHS)

Each report addresses a core question about behavioral health treatment and recovery support services in Washington state.

Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA)

(Data and reports | Washington State Health Care Authority)

Data is one of HCA's most valuable assets, helping strengthen the ability to make decisions based on reliable, timely, and accurate information. HCA’s data strategy demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that all Washingtonians have access to the care they need when they need it.

Washington State Healthy Youth Survey (HYS)

(Home - Healthy Youth Survey)

The Healthy Youth Survey provides important survey results about the health of adolescents in Washington state. Schools, school districts, local health jurisdictions, county prevention coordinators, community mobilization coalitions, community public health and safety networks, and others use this information to guide policy and programs that serve youth.

Washington Secretary of State

(Reports, Data, and Statistics | WA Secretary of State)

Voter information included in reports is public information. Ballot and election statistics from previous elections.

Washington State Statistical Analysis Center

(Home | Washington State Statistical Analysis Center)

Conducts and publishes objective, policy-relevant research and analysis on justice issues, maintains state justice-related data, and provides technical assistance to government agencies, legislators, and researchers.

Washington Tracking Network (WTN)

(Washington Tracking Network (WTN) | Washington State Department of Health)

The Washington Tracking Network (WTN), a DOH data system, is an easily accessible source for environmental and public health data, including tables, charts, and maps. 

Not Publicly Available

Although the sources listed below are not available for the public to use, our team still wanted to share these sources for data transparency. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Assessment team at EPIIC@islandcountywa.gov.

Community Health Assessment Tool (CHAT)

Not publicly available.

Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)

(Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) | Washington State Department of Health)

Not publicly available. The program was created to improve patient care and to stop prescription drug misuse by collecting dispensing records for Schedule II, III, IV, and V drugs and by making the information available to medical providers and pharmacists as a patient care tool. 

Rapid Health Information Network (RHINO)

(Syndromic Surveillance (RHINO) | Washington State Department of Health)

Not publicly available. The Rapid Health Information Network (RHINO) program is responsible for syndromic surveillance data collection, analysis, and distribution at the department. Syndromic surveillance data is collected in near real-time from hospitals and clinics from across the state. Key data elements reported include patient demographic information, chief complaints, and coded diagnoses.

Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS)

(WA IIS-Web Main Page)

Not publicly available. The Washington IIS is a lifetime immunization registry with records for Washington residents. The IIS is available to all licensed healthcare providers in Washington to support immunization activities. It also serves as the primary vaccine management tool for providers enrolled in the Childhood Vaccine Program, assists schools in assessing immunization compliance and provides official immunization certificates.