Apr 13, 2009
MN Epi Website
by Jerry Jaker
Although the roots of public health are embedded deeply in the soil of rich data, “data” sometimes sounds like a four letter word to prevention practitioners. Locating, analyzing, and interpreting data can feel like an overwhelming process. Especially when your workload already seems challenging to manage.
In order to help ATOD prevention practitioners locate and use a wide range of data more efficiently and effectively, the Epi Profile was created. The MNDHS Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division contracted with MIPH to develop this profile of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and consequence data. MIPH converted the Epi Profile into a user-friendly website (www.sumn.org) to help practitioners find and use the most current data available to assess needs, set priorities, plan programs, and track changes over time. The website can help you look at what is happening in your own county as well as the state of Minnesota.
Once you find the data for your community, you may find it helpful to personalize the statistics you see. Try to look at data in a new way and build a story. Think of your own children, grandchildren or neighbors. Do you know a 6th grader in your community? If the data tables show that X% of 6th graders in your county have tried alcohol, how many of your own children’s, your grandchildren’s, your neighbor’s friends are likely to have used alcohol? How many will have tried alcohol in another three year? Another six years? What can be done to reduce these percentages? Has an event occurred in your community that adds context to the data—a party involving underage drinking, a meth lab bust, or an untimely death?
The Epi Profile has been built to help communities identify needs and sets priorities. In today’s world of limited resources, data can help us use our resources more wisely.
Visit the site soon (www.sumn.org) and think about how data can be used to tell your story, describe your needs, justify your efforts, and help you use your limited resources wisely.
Tell us how you have used data to improve your programming.
In order to help ATOD prevention practitioners locate and use a wide range of data more efficiently and effectively, the Epi Profile was created. The MNDHS Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division contracted with MIPH to develop this profile of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and consequence data. MIPH converted the Epi Profile into a user-friendly website (www.sumn.org) to help practitioners find and use the most current data available to assess needs, set priorities, plan programs, and track changes over time. The website can help you look at what is happening in your own county as well as the state of Minnesota.
Once you find the data for your community, you may find it helpful to personalize the statistics you see. Try to look at data in a new way and build a story. Think of your own children, grandchildren or neighbors. Do you know a 6th grader in your community? If the data tables show that X% of 6th graders in your county have tried alcohol, how many of your own children’s, your grandchildren’s, your neighbor’s friends are likely to have used alcohol? How many will have tried alcohol in another three year? Another six years? What can be done to reduce these percentages? Has an event occurred in your community that adds context to the data—a party involving underage drinking, a meth lab bust, or an untimely death?
The Epi Profile has been built to help communities identify needs and sets priorities. In today’s world of limited resources, data can help us use our resources more wisely.
Visit the site soon (www.sumn.org) and think about how data can be used to tell your story, describe your needs, justify your efforts, and help you use your limited resources wisely.
Tell us how you have used data to improve your programming.
Posted on April 13, 2009 - 7:58am by Jerry Jaker
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