Fact Sheet Who: The Community Health Data Base (CHDB) was established in 1983 by Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a nonprofit
public health institute based in Philadelphia and dedicated to community health improvement. The CHDB collects and disseminates data on local residents and serves as a key data resource for health and social service providers. Hospitals and health systems, insurance providers, local government, large nonprofit organizations and similar institutions join the CHDB as members and receive the data on CD-Rom, as well as technical assistance and other products and services. Small- to mid-sized community based nonprofits join the CHDB as affiliates and receive data through the CHDB website’s online data analysis tool or by contacting CHDB staff.
What: The Community Health Data Base is a unique resource for our region, collecting and providing valuable, up-to-date, community-
based health and wellbeing data on local residents. CHDB collects these primary data through the Household Health Survey, a random digit dial telephone survey. Unlike state and national data, local data more accurately reflect the health status and health care needs of our communities. CHDB data can be analyzed for geographic segments across and within the nine counties where CHDB’s Household Health Survey has been conducted. Members and affiliates provide input into the content of the survey instrument.
When: The CHDB most recently conducted the Household Health Survey in the five counties that make up Southeastern Pennsylvania in 2010 and an additional PA county in 2009. The CHDB will conduct the survey for the second time in Berks, Lancaster, and Schuylkill Counties in 2011.
Where: The Community Health Data Base contains information about health status, access to care and service use for all segments of
the population living in Berks, Bucks, Centre, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill Counties. The CHDB collected data about more than 17,000 residents of all age groups in surveys conducted since 2008. The geo-coded data are available at regional, county, ZIP code, and Census tract levels.
Why: Community-based data are essential to allocating resources and developing programs that respond to community needs. The CHDB helps expand organizations’ planning and marketing capabilities, and CHDB data serve as critical tools to support fund development and community health needs assessments.
How: The CHDB is generously supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, William Penn Foundation, United Way of Southeastern Penn-
sylvania, CIGNA Foundation, Philadelphia Foundation, Green Tree Community Health Foundation, and the Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, as well as many health and human service providers in the region.
Household Health Survey, Major Categories: • Health Status
• Disease Prevention
• Source of Care
• Health Promotion
• Utilization of Services
• Health Insurance
• Personal Health Behaviors
• Mental Health
• Obstacles to Care
The survey addresses special health concerns for: • Women and Men • Low income, at-risk populations • Uninsured and Underinsured
For more information, go to www.chdbdata.org or contact Project Director Francine Axler at 215.985.2521 PHMC’s Community Health Data Base | 260 South Broad Street, Suite 1800 | Philadelphia, PA 19102 | 215.985.2548 | chdbdata.org