NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2014
Contact: Francine Axler at 215.985.2521 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Comprehensive Survey Measures Community Health and Well-Being
PHILADELPHIA –Public Health Management Corporation's Community Health Data Base (CHDB) is conducting its 14th Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey, a major regional telephone survey examining the health, well-being and health care experiences of residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. One of the largest household health surveys in the country, the findings have been used by more than 350 non-profits, hospitals, academic institutions, government agencies and other organizations to plan and sustain public health initiatives, to advocate for programs that support health, and to better understand the factors that influence the health of adults and children throughout our region.
The first Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey was conducted in 1983, and since 1994 the survey has been conducted every two years across the five-county region. While individual responses are kept confidential, the data are used together to examine patterns and trends in neighborhoods and communities across Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Historically, most telephone surveys have been conducted with individuals on landline telephones; however, a growing population of adults is available only by cellular phones. Beginning in 2008, CHDB has been contacting respondents on cell phones. "In our 2014-15 survey, we're proud to announce that one in five respondents will be reached on cell phones," says Francine Axler, CHDB director. "Increasing our cell phone sample ensures that we capture the views and experiences of all of our neighbors."
Focus on Access to Health Care
Each year, the survey captures important information related to access to health care and the health care experiences of adults and children in communities throughout the region.
"Our team works closely with a network of partners to determine topics that are most important," said Francine Axler, executive director, CHDB. "It's critical that we understand the impact that health care reform continues to have on access to care."
The 2014-2015 survey examines health insurance coverage and highlight the experiences of the uninsured and newly insured. Additionally, the survey data will describe health care experiences. Questions include:
• Have (you/Has he/Has she) looked into purchasing health insurance coverage through Healthcare.gov?
• How difficult was it for (you/him/her) to find a plan with monthly premiums (you/he/she) could afford?
• How difficult was it for (you/him/her) to find a plan that (you/he/she) could afford to use, that is, a plan with copays and deductibles that (you/he/she) could afford?
• Did (you/he/she) enroll in a health insurance plan offered through Healthcare.gov during this current open enrollment?
These questions are among the more than 200 included in the survey, which address screenings, diagnoses, neighborhood concerns, safety, health behaviors and more. For information on becoming a CHDB member or affiliate, with special access to the data, please call 215.985.2521.
About CHDB
Public Health Management Corporation's Community Health Data Base Household Health Survey is one of the largest regional health surveys in the country. The Pew Charitable Trusts, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, United Way of North Penn, Green Tree Community Health Foundation, North Penn Community Health Foundation, the Thomas Scattergood Foundation and more than 350 local agencies from the health, government, nonprofit and academic sectors help support CHDB. To view previous data news releases, please click here. For more information, or to access key findings from previous household health surveys, please visit www.chdbdata.org.
About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.
