LibGuides: Health Disparities: Location-Based Data

Location-Based Information on Health Disparities

At the International Level

Several international organizations provide data to compare health status and disparities present in different parts of the world. Consider the following.

Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) - WHO The Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT and HEAT Plus) is a software application that facilitates the exploration, analysis and reporting of health inequalities. Inequalities can be assessed through disaggregated data and summary measures of health inequality, visualized in interactive graphs, maps and tables. Results can be exported and saved in different formats.
Health Inequality Data Repository - WHO The Health Inequality Data Repository contains datasets of disaggregated data covering diverse topics and dimensions of inequality, from a variety of publicly available data sources. It aims to make disaggregated data more accessible and navigable to diverse global audiences.
Our World in Data International interactive maps noting data regarding global health in the following categories: life expectancy, child mortality, maternal mortality, burden of disease, and infectious diseases. Maps can also be made to show tables of data as well as charts showing changes over time in international health areas.
WHO Health Equity Country Profiles A list of health equity data collected from the Health Equity Monitor database provided by the World Health Organization. Data in these profiles were gathered from over 450 surveys in 115 countries.

At the National Level

Comparative data is available for looking at different states or geographic regions of the USA. See below for a list of resources.

2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report - AHRQ The annual National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report is mandated by Congress to provide a comprehensive overview of the quality of healthcare received by the general U.S. population and disparities in care experienced by different racial and socioeconomic groups. The report is produced with the help of an Interagency Work Group led by AHRQ.
2023 Scorecard on State Health System Performance Our Scorecard ranks every state’s health care system based on how well it provides high-quality, accessible, and equitable health care. Read the report to see how your state ranks.
Health Equity in Focus: Mental and Behavioral Health Data Brief The Mental and Behavioral Health Data Brief analyzed 15 measures and five subpopulations using data from four national public health surveys. It measures the breadth, depth and persistence of key mental and behavioral health disparities at the national level among both adults and youth, aiming to provide objective data that advocates, community leaders and policymakers can use to better understand challenges facing Americans today.
Health, United States Annual Report
Healthy People 2030 Data Sources Most data sources used for Healthy People 2030 objectives meet rigorous criteria. For example, they: Have valid, reliable, nationally representative data Have baseline data from no earlier than 2015 and a measure of variability (if applicable) Can provide at least 2 additional data points throughout the decade Have federal government management or oversight Are publicly available
Key Data on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity - KFF
National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports (NHQDR) The NHQDR provides a unique set of AHRQ data tools to assist in focusing efforts on identifying areas for improvement in the delivery of healthcare in the United States. Use the tools to inspect States as geographic areas for quality disparities in vulnerable populations to pursue improvement activities. Close the gap in healthcare and healthcare status among racial and ethnic, and socioeconomic groups in the nation.
NCSL Health Disparities Legislation A list of resources is provided on state legislature regarding health disparities provided by the National Conference of State Legislatures. A list of legislation enacted in the past year is also provided by state.

At the State Level

The following are resources for your consideration noting Pennsylvania-specific health disparities data and information.

Health Inequities in Pennsylvania - PA-AHEC Our mission and vision: Improve health and wellness by collaboratively developing and providing education programs to enhance community health and broaden the distribution of a diverse health workforce, particularly for rural and underserved Pennsylvanians.
PA Department of Human Services Provides information on health equity programs provided by Pennsylvania's DHS as well as the Health Equity Analysis Tool (HEAT) map, where criteria of insurance and demographics can be compared statewide.
PA Health Equity Analysis Tool (HEAT) The PA HEAT is intended to provide a granular geographic perspective of areas that have significant opportunities to improve equity.
Pennsylvania Data and Resources - County Health Rankings & Roadmaps The CHR&R program provides data, evidence, guidance, and examples to build awareness of the multiple factors that influence health and support leaders in growing community power to improve health equity. The Rankings are unique in their ability to measure the health of nearly every county in all 50 states, and are complemented by guidance, tools, and resources designed to accelerate community learning and action.
The State of Our Health: A Statewide Health Assessment of Pennsylvania Annual Report, last published in March 2022

At the County Level

When looking specifically at Allegheny County, resources are available on the county website as well as other locations listed here.

Allegheny County's Official Website Specific data is available on community indicators of health in Allegheny county, and comparison can be made with other PA counties in areas such as access to care, chronic disease behaviors, mental health, maternal health, and environmental risk.
Allegheny County - DataUSA Health statistics specific to Allegheny County, PA (depending on criteria may be specific to PA only). Information such as healthcare coverage, healthcare spending, access and quality of care, social needs, patient to clinician ratios, and behavioral health are included.
Allegheny County Community Indicators Allegheny Community Indicators (ACI) is a set of interactive dashboards that enables users to see data about different public health topics in an easy to understand format. ACI allows users to see how Allegheny County and its municipalities, neighborhoods, zip codes, and census tracts rank compared to county, state and national health data in key areas such as access to care, chronic disease behaviors, mental health, maternal health, and the environment.
Community Health Assessment - Allegheny County Dept. of Health
Healthiest Communities by U.S. News and World Report An interactive map noting data on the county level (though comparisons can be made nationally). Many health-related categories are available for review, including access to care, health behaviors, health conditions, health outcomes, and mental health.