Image from SLO Health Counts, November 2017.

SLO County Health Data Now at Your Fingertips

Author: Public Health Department
Date: 12/1/2017 10:14 AM

SLO Health Counts makes local health data easy to find and easy to understand.

Accurate, relevant, local data—and the context to understand its implications—plays a powerful role in public health. It helps us determine how to most effectively direct limited resources and where to find assets we can leverage to make positive change. It helps us understand who is most vulnerable to health threats and most needs our attention. Strong data can inform discussion and inspire action. 

For these reasons and many more, we are pleased to share SLO Health Counts, a new health data hub that makes SLO County health information easy to find and easy to understand. The County partnered with the Health Communities Institute, which built and maintains the site and pulls the data from numerous state and national resources.

"This information belongs to everyone," said Dr. Penny Borenstein, Health Officer of the County of San Luis Obispo. "As a Public Health Department, we are stewards of this information and use it to inform our work—but it doesn't belong only to us. I hope that residents across our communities will use it to learn, discuss and take action on the health issues they care about."

The hub presents local health indicators—such as rates of STDs and Valley Fever—in the context of state and national averages, national public health goals, and overall trends such as whether the rate has increased or decreased over time. It also includes factors that influence health, such as median household income and educational attainment.

With SLO Health Counts, you can:

  • View 120+ health and quality of life data indicators
  • Map and visualize data
  • Generate custom data reports
  • Examine zip-code level maps of socio-economic need
  • Browse a database of 2,000+ evidence-based practices and programs related to specific health indicators
  • Access information on local health improvement activities and resources
  • Track progress toward county and regional goals
  • … and more.

"SLO Health Counts provides a launching point for realistic, well-informed conversations and actions to improve the health of our community," said Dr. Borenstein. "I hope everyone—from business leaders to community groups, researchers, philanthropists and government —will find SLO Health Counts an inspiring and practical new resource for collaboration and conversation around health in SLO County."

Learn more and access the data hub at www.SLOHealthCounts.org.

Disclaimer: Data points on SLO Health Counts are based on the most currently available fully-reviewed metrics. In many cases, as is customary, data points may be two years (or more) in the past. Survey-based findings may come from small samples that lack the power to yield statistical significance where looking at comparative or trend data.  Should users have questions about the data or validity of use, they are advised to communicate with the SLO Public Health Department Epidemiologist, at 805-781-5500 or [email protected].