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: State-level Data

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tool Type: Questionnaire / Survey
Data Collection Tool

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a system of state-based telephone surveys that collects info about chronic disease and injury risk behaviors, preventive health practices, and access to health care.

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.

Community Data Platform

Author: Cape Fear Collective
Tool Type: Dashboard
Existing Data Source

The Community Data Platform (CDP) is a cloud-based AWS MySQL database with over 1,000 metrics sourced from public sources, regional anchor institutions, and other community partners.

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

Author: University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, School of Medicine and Public Health
Tool Type: Reports
Existing Data Source

This data source produces annual county health ranking reports at the state and county levels. The rankings are based on a variety of health factors that influences the wellbeing of the communities, including health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. In addition to the rankings, this data source provides guidance and additional resources for the stakeholders to improve health outcomes and promote health equity in their communities.

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.

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.