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: Map

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.

Participatory Asset Mapping Toolkit

Author: The Advancement Project
Tool Type: Guides
Data Collection Tool

This guide is a resource developed by the Advancement Project by Healthy City to support Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in leveraging community knowledge and assets for advocacy. Focusing on Participatory Asset Mapping, it combines participatory mapping and asset mapping to identify and document community assets. The toolbox provides practical guidance for hosting asset mapping events, conducting workshops, and conducting research within the Community Based Participatory Action Research framework. It emphasizes community-based organizations that actively engage residents and aims to amplify community voices in decision-making. This guide can be used to help organizations identify community assets, empower communities, and create positive change at the local level.

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.

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.

The North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Tool

Author: NC Division of Public Health
Tool Type: Reports
Existing Data Source

This report is a surveillance system that presents opioid overdose ED visit data in North Carolina. It is updated approximately bi-monthly, and users can access the data reports at the state and county levels. Additionally, the ED visits data are stratified by opioid type, age, race and ethnicity, and health insurance coverage. The drug overdose death data are also available from the website.

Kids Count Data Center

Author: The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Tool Type: Dashboard
Existing Data Source

This tool reflects data of various indicators related to child well-being, such as education, safety and risky behaviors, family structure and income, poverty, housing, and community environment. The data is at the city, county, school district, and state levels. It is updated annually, and when applicable, the data are stratified by race and ethnicity, age, and family nativity.