For health care journalists seeking information on women’s health insurance coverage and women’s health in general, the Office on Women’s Health from the federal Department of Health and Human Services provides an interactive system for searching for health data called Quick Health Data Online. The system is useful for anyone seeking health data. Free training is available on how to use the interactive system on certain dates in October, November, and December 2013. The last schedule training date is Dec. 19, 2013.
The system provides state- and county-level data on women’s health issues, including health insurance for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and United States territories and possessions. The health insurance information includes data on access to insurance for children and adults, and statistics on the number of percentage of children below poverty.
There is also a men’s health section that is not as robust.
Some of the topics that may be useful for journalists include:
Adolescent health, nutrition and physical activity
Breastfeeding, maternal health and reproductive health
Cholesterol screening
Emotional support and mental health
Exercise
Fruit and vegetable consumption
Health care access measures including dental visits, dental cleanings
Health status measures including obesity, binge drinking, and smoking
HIV/AIDS risk factors, morbidity and mortality
Insurance coverage
Obesity
Morbidity rates for diseases including diabetes and hypertension
Preventive screenings for colorectal cancers, pap smears and mammograms
Routine checkups
Seatbelt use
Sexual assaults