Public Health Management Corporation Plans Release of Major Health Survey Data

Findings Will Shape Future Health Programs and Initiatives for Local Residents

PHILADELPHIA (January 11, 2011)— After an extensive survey of the health and well-being of area residents, Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), through its Community Health Data Base (CHDB), will release the data results of the 2010 Household Health Survey this February 2011. Approximately 10,000 households throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties were randomly contacted by phone and asked questions about health screenings, use of health services, health insurance and personal health behaviors. Hundreds of organizations will use the information gathered to plan and improve health services for area residents, including children, adults and seniors.

PHMC has added new questions to every survey since its inception in 1983, in response to local and national changes in health status and health care. The addition of timely topics keeps the Household Health Survey relevant, dynamic and responsive. This year, in partnership with CHDB’s network of members and affiliates, the survey incorporated more than twelve new topic areas including:

• HIV: For the first time ever, respondents were asked about their HIV status. Past surveys asked whether the respondent had been tested and whether they had received their results.

• Sugary Beverages: The 2010 survey looks at the consumption of sodas and other sugary beverages among adults and children in Philadelphia.

• Addiction and Recovery: The survey captures the experiences of addiction and recovery among adults in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the opinions and beliefs held by adults about recovery and recovery services.

• Menu Labeling: CHDB examined the response of Philadelphia adults to changes in menu labeling, requiring some restaurants to post nutritional information.

• Cigarette Purchases: In the 2010 survey, adults throughout Philadelphia were asked whether they knew of a place in their neighborhood selling illegal loose cigarettes. Additionally, cigarette smokers were asked about the types of stores from which they bought their cigarettes.

The survey data provide a unique, in-depth view into the health and well-being of the region’s residents. Hospitals, government agencies, universities, managed care organizations, community-based nonprofits, and others will use information from the survey to assess community health needs, address community health concerns, and plan, implement and evaluate community health initiatives.

CHDB’s Household Health Survey is one of the largest regional health surveys in the country. CHDB is supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, William Penn Foundation, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, The Philadelphia Foundation, CIGNA Foundation, Green Tree Community Health Foundation, United Way of North Penn, The North Penn Community Health Foundation, The Scattergood Foundation and nearly 400 local agencies from the health, government, nonprofit, and academic sectors. For more information, please visit www.chdbdata.org.

For more information on the Household Health Survey or PHMC’s Community Health Data Base, contact Francine Axler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 215.985.2521.