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: Data by Race/Ethnicity

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.

U.S. Decennial Census Data

Author: U.S. Census Bureau
Tool Type: Dashboard
Existing Data Source

This census conducted every ten years by the United States Census Bureau counts every person living in the United States, regardless of citizenship status, and provides an accurate demographic makeup in the country. The data source provides detailed information about the characteristics of the U.S. population at the state level, including age, sex, race and ethnicity, household size, residence in urban or rural areas, etc.

County/State Population Projections

Author: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
Tool Type: State Data Source
Existing Data Source

This data estimates the future populations at the state and county levels based on the historical and current rates of fertility and mortality as well as migration patterns. The estimated data are available to 2050 and stratified by age, sex, and race/ethnicity, which allows users to track the changes in age distribution, racial and ethnic diversity, etc. Available formats of the data sources are tables, maps, and downloadable documents.

The NC Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard

Author: NC Division of Public Health (NCDHHS)–Nort Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch
Tool Type: Dashboard
Existing Data Source

This dashboard provides equity-centered data and information related to the opioid crisis in North Carolina. It is updated annually, and the available data include opioid overdose deaths, opioid prescriptions rate, opioid use disorder treatment, and naloxone doses dispensed. When applicable, the data are stratified by race and ethnicity. This data dashboard features interactive maps at the state, county, and regional levels as well as trends over time that allows users to track progress and measure impacts on substance use efforts. In addition, it provides valuable resources on opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery by defined metrics.

County Health Data Book

Author: NC Division of Public Health - North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics
Tool Type: State Data Source
Existing Data Source

This source collects comprehensive health data for North Carolina. Among the health indicators available in this data source are mortality and morbidity rates, live birth rates, abortion rates, pregnancy rates, life expectancy at birth, and cancer incidence rates. The data are updated annually and presented at the county level so users can compare health outcomes between counties.

North Carolina Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard

Author: NC Department of Health and Human Services
Tool Type: Dashboard
Existing Data Source

The NCDHHS Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard includes timely information on emergency department visits for respiratory viruses (COVID-19, influenza, and RSV), as well as COVID-19 wastewater monitoring and hospitalizations, and archival information on COVID-19 cases, deaths, and vaccinations. The archives include data up to May 10, 2023.

North Carolina’s School Report Cards

Author: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Tool Type: Dashboard
Existing Data Source

This dashboard contains school characteristics and performance data at the state, county, district, and school levels. The variables include school discipline, drop-out trend, school enrollment trend, school performance (3rd-grade reading level and high school graduation rate, etc). Most of the variables are disaggregated by sex, race/ethnicity, and economic disadvantage. Furthermore, users can compare the school’s performance with another within the same geographic area.

Log Into North Carolina

Author: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
Tool Type: Dashboard
Existing Data Source

This dashboard is a user-friendly interactive data retrieval service containing historical information on topics including population, labor force, education, transportation, revenue, agriculture, vital statistics and health, environment and recreation, energy and utilities, and other topics. Each topic category provides comprehensive variables. For example, the vital statistics and health category has detailed data on births, deaths, pregnancies, marriages, divorces, nursing facility beds, beds in general hospitals, persons served in program facilities (NC alcohol and drug treatment centers, mental health development centers), and more. Most data are available at both the county and state levels, and registered users have access to full datasets.