This Web site is designed to keep Iowans informed about an important advancement in promoting and protecting the health of Iowans-the development of an Iowa public health data warehouse. While the data warehouse itself is not yet online, the Iowa Department of Public Health is using this Web site to educate Iowans about the project and provide regular updates.
Currently under development, the data warehouse will organize and store data from a variety of sources and provide electronic reporting and analysis. By having a number of important relevant data sets in one convenient place, users will be able to easily obtain snapshots of the health of individual counties and Iowa as whole. With this information, Iowans will be able to more efficiently determine the health needs of their communities and make more informed decisions that help promote and protect the public's health.
Public health is a population-based set of disciplines. The data warehouse will include aggregate data (not individual health information) to help us gain an accurate picture of the health of specific populations based on particular health indicators. Examples include the percentage of people who are overweight or obese, the rate of sexually transmitted diseases, and where a community ranks in regard to lead poisoned children.
Anyone will be able to use a Web-based portal to access reports on predefined health indicators in specific counties. The system will allow one to make comparisons with other counties or the state as a whole. State health officials, local public health partners, and researchers will be able to customize data reports based on specific and approved needs.
.For information about the public health data warehouse, please contact:
Jonn Durbin
Department of Public Health
Bureau of Communication and Planning
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 281-8936
Join the mailing list! Send a blank e-mail to join-idphdatawarehouse@lists.ia.gov.