Explore the Library

To find community examples and tools for collecting and using health data, browse through all content or select by topic.

About These Tools

The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is presenting these data tools for your information and use, but did not create them. These tools may be subject to copyright, and should be used within the terms of use outlined in any copyright restrictions.

Be Advised

We hope you find these tools useful. We advise you to keep in mind that the content in these tools may cover sensitive issues that could be triggering for certain individuals.

Category: County-level Data

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- National Center for Health Statistics
Tool Type: Guides, National Data Source, Questionnaire / Survey, Reports
Existing Data Source

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) measures the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States and includes both interviews and physical examinations. In addition to demographic, socioeconomic, dietary, and health-related questions, the NHANES also contains medical, dental, and physiological measurements, as well as laboratory tests administered by highly trained medical professionals.

North Carolina Data Portal

Author: Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems- University of Missouri Extension
Tool Type: Assessment, Dashboard, Data Visualization, National Data Source, Notes, Questionnaire / Survey, Reports
Existing Data Source

The North Carolina Data Portal provides users with access to data, maps, and tools required to conduct community health assessments and other public health activities. North Carolina’s NC Data Portal is poised to serve as the primary source of secondary health data for most local health departments.

Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool

Author: Council on Environmental Quality
Tool Type: Dashboard, National Data Source, State Data Source
Existing Data Source

The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool provides information about environmental health burdens on communities.

Census Reporter

Author: Census Reporter
Tool Type: National Data Source, Questionnaire / Survey, State Data Source
Existing Data Source

Census Reporter provides journalists with easy access to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Population and dollar figures are broken down by category: Demographics, Economics, Families, Housing and Social.

PLACES: Local Data for Better Health

Author: CDC, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the CDC Foundation
Tool Type: National Data Source, Reports
Existing Data Source

PLACES provides model-based, community-level analysis of 36 chronic-disease realated measures for all counties, states, and census tracts nationwide.

In-Person Marketplace Enrollment Efforts in North Carolina

Author: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
Tool Type: Dashboard
Existing Data Source

The “Dashboard for In-Person Marketplace Enrollment Efforts in North Carolina” by the Sheps Center for Health Services Research, tracks and analyzes health insurance enrollment efforts, particularly in rural areas of North Carolina. The tool provides real-time data and visualizations to monitor progress, identify low enrollment areas, and evaluate outreach strategies. It helps stakeholders make informed decisions, understand enrollment trends, and address barriers to enrollment. The goal is to improve access to health insurance for rural populations in North Carolina by tailoring outreach initiatives based on evidence-based strategies.

Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy Data

Author: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Tool Type: National Data Source
Existing Data Source

This is a dataset that provides information on severe housing problems and needs among households needing housing assistance, especially low-income households. The data are updated every four years (quadrennially) and available at the state, county, and census-tract levels through a web-based table generator (also known as a query tool) or complete downloadable sets of data files. The data are also stratified by race and ethnicity, household income, and more.