Discover Key Insights for Local Public Health with NACCHO’s Innovative Profile Study Dashboard – A Must-Read on JPHMP Direct!

In January, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) introduced a new tool called the Profile Study Dashboard. This innovative platform aims to enhance public health data, making it easier for users to access and understand vital information.

The dashboard is a result of discussions led by NACCHO and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to better serve public health leaders. They focused on what users really need, conducting interviews to identify key features. Here are the main functionalities they found important:

• Data storytelling: Simplifying complex data into relatable narratives.
• Accessible findings: Making key insights easy to find and share.
• Cross-tabulation options: Allowing users to explore the data in ways that suit their needs.
• Comprehensive filters: Helping users compare different local health departments (LHDs) based on characteristics like urban vs. rural.
• Engaging design: A user-friendly layout that captures attention.

The dashboard features various data visualizations that adapt to different topics. Users can see trends over time, making it more functional than static reports. This interactivity empowers users to explore data deeply, compare categories, and analyze findings effectively.

Another standout feature is the inclusion of data stories. These narratives take insights from NACCHO’s research and place them within the larger context of public health. Such stories can be incredibly useful for advocacy and educational efforts. One local health leader described the importance of these stories: “Telling our story is critical to letting people know about the value of public health.”

The dashboard also helps distill complex information into key takeaways. Users can download these insights for presentations, making them easy to share with various audiences. The ability to filter and compare specific subsets of data adds another layer of usability for public health professionals.

Overall, the NACCHO Profile Study Dashboard transforms how people access and interpret local public health data. By presenting this information interactively, it allows users to have a clearer understanding of the trends and needs in public health. This innovation aligns with NACCHO’s mission to support and advocate for local health departments effectively.

For more information about the dashboard, check out the full article here.

About the Authors:

Gwen Davis, MS, MPS, is a Senior Data Communications Specialist at NACCHO, focusing on visualizing data to enhance understanding.

Kellie Perkins, MS, is the Director of Data Communications at NACCHO, with expertise in research and evaluation that supports NACCHO’s mission as a thought leader in local public health.

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