February 19, 2009
Contact: Jamie Arehart (267-350-7699 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Francine Axler (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

CHDB's 2008 Household Health Survey Data Now Public

PHILADELPHIA-Public Health Management Corporation's Community Health Data Base (CHDB) releases its 2008 Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Household Health Survey data today, which examines the health and health care experiences of area residents. CHDB's Household Health Survey is the largest local/regional health survey in the country.

More than 350 organizations, including hospitals, government agencies, universities and managed care organizations, use the survey data to help them plan, market, and improve healthcare and social services in the region.

With the release of the 2008 survey data, CHDB celebrates 25 years of providing research to the Philadelphia region. "We've provided this unique and extraordinary resource to the region since 1983," says Francine Axler, CHDB project director. "With our up-to-date community-level health and social service data, our goal is to inform and empower residents, health providers, and policy makers to take actions to improve community health."

Facts about CHDB's Household Health Survey

• Extensive health survey is conducted every two years by telephone, with a 300 cell phone sub-sample
  
• Survey reaches 13,000 SEPA residents and is confidential
  
• Surveys residents in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties, and newly added counties Schuylkill, Lancaster, and Berks in 2008
  
• Provides primary data on a broad range of health topics such as health screenings, use of health services, health insurance, and personal health behaviors, among other topics
  
• Data are available at the census tract, ZIP code, county and regional level
  
• The Pew Charitable Trusts, The William Penn Foundation, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and over 350 local agencies help to support CHDB.

More Information on 2008 Findings

Throughout the year, CHDB will highlight additional data findings from the 2008 SEPA Household Health Survey, as well as other important public health issues. Special reports covering trends and disparities in area health and health care will be featured monthly on the CHDB website, www.phmc.org/chdb. For more information on CHDB, please contact Francine Axler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For a more detailed look at the 2008 data, please request a fact sheet or reporter's guide from Jamie Arehart at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 267-350-7699.