1. Capacities, Challenges, and Opportunities

2. Introduction Challenges to reducing health disparities in the United States Poor diffusion of knowledge on health disparities-related problems and solutions, especially true for historically underserved communities Inequity in access to knowledge and data and the capacity to use it. Lots of national surveys and data being collected, but not nearly enough efforts to help community organizations learn how to USE the data

3. Environmental Scan To learn about current status and challenges that community-based organizations (CBO’s) face in: Data access Data use Use of research-based practices Methods Literature review Focus groups (three with average of six participants) Conference pre-registration forms (N=157 CBO representatives)

4. Use Of Data & Internal Resources Over nine out of ten CBO’s (93%,) collect, analyze, or use data Only half (51%) of the CBO’s have designated staff to collect, analyze, or use data About 70% spread responsibility throughout the organization (staff, volunteers, member orgs, students/interns, board members) CBO’s have limited personnel for data analysis and use

5. Populations Experiencing Disparities CBO’s focus on multiple populations experiencing disparities. The most frequently reported were: Racial or ethnic minorities (91%) Persons living in poverty or under economic stress (88%) Persons with physical disabilities (35%) Persons with different sexual orientations (25%)

6. CBO Data Collection About 3 out of 4 CBO’s collect data (77%) Most frequently used data collection methods are in-person surveys, paper-pencil survey, program or service evaluation forms, in person interviews, focus groups About 2 out of 5 CBO’s used IRBs or research ethics reviews (39%) About 73% CBO’s collect data on indicators of SDH (contributors to health and health disparities) Most frequently collected data on health care (79%), education (70%), jobs and income (60%)

7. CBO Data Access Only about a quarter access data needed (28%) Data on Indicators of SDH (contributors to health and health disparities) Most frequently used : Health care (80%) Education (67%) Jobs and income (56%) Most difficult to access : Environment (54%) Jobs and income (53%) Housing (45%)

8. CBO Data Access (cont’d) Most Used State or Local Data sources Most reported using data from state health departments (71%) or county or city health departments (70%) Although 77% of organization collect their own data, only about half (55%) used their own data National Data Sources (more on next slide) Most known and used: American FactFinder (US Census Bureau) (Known – 68%; Used – 62%)

9. CBO Data Access (cont’d) National Data Sources KNOWN 1. American FactFinder (68%) 2. Community Health Status Indicators (51%) 3. County Health Rankings (41%). 9. CDP Maps (22%) 10. Food Environment Atlas (17%) 11. Community Commons (16%) USED 1. American FactFinder (62%) 2. Community Health Status Indicators (38%) 3. BRFSS (34%). 9. CDP Maps (9%) 10. Community Commons (8%) 11. Food Environment Atlas (7%)

10. Data Analysis Used By CBO’s Data Analysis Techniques and Methods# of CBO’s% Descriptive Statistics (comparing %)10581 1 Geographic (maps)8465 1 Statistical (correlation)6953 1 Comparing rates per 100,0005946 1 Ratios5543 2 Qualitative techniques5240 1 1: Out of 129 CBOs 2: Out of 132 CBOs

11. CBO’s Barriers in Data Access and Analysis CBO’s do not have sufficient resources, such as: Funds to purchase data (72%) or data analysis software (71%) Staff with knowledge, skills (or connections) to access (46%) or analyze data (47%) Time to figure out how to get (43%) or analyze data (43%)

12. CBO’s Barriers in Data Access and Analysis (cont’d) Top 3 issues with quality of data 1. Not collected using same areas or classifications, making it hard to compare (47%) 2. Not collected frequently enough (45%) 3. Not reported for the groups of interest (e.g., African immigrants or refugees; Asian Americans; Pacific Islanders; American Indians; Hispanics) (40%)

13. CBO’s Data Use and Areas of Needs Data are used mostly for getting grants or developing programs (both 79%) Data are least used internally to inform organizational practices (35%) or policy (19%) Organizations on average reported being less than proficient in their capacity for using data (on a 5- point scale, averages ranged from 3.06 to 3.81)

14. CBO’s Level of Expertise on Using Data CBO’s Data Use (Average Rating of Expertise) 1 Presenting and communicating data to various audiences including the general public, staff, volunteers, or leaders of your organization (avg = 3.81) 2 Reflecting and learning from findings (avg = 3.60) 3 Identifying issues for community organizing or collaboration with other organizations (avg = 3.53) 4 Using data for public education (avg = 3.45) 5 Producing reports that people will read (avg = 3.36) 6 Using data for strategy development and improvement (avg = 3.33) 7 Using data for advocacy on government policy (avg = 3.06)

15. CBO’s Use of Research- or Evidence-Based Strategies About 38% have policies, rules, or agreements About 42% use research-based strategies less frequently (about half the time or less) Most organizations are optimistic about using such strategies, if information was available in a useable form (85%)

16. CBO’s Use of Research- or Evidence-Based Strategies (cont’d) Sources most never used: Practitioner publications (26%) Peer-reviewed journals (23%) Sources most useful: Residents (avg = 3.29) Other similar organizations (avg = 3.07) Conferences (avg = 2.99) Websites (avg = 2.94)

17. CBO’s Level of Expertise on Using Research-Based Practices CBO’s Use of Research-Based Practices (Avg Rating of Expertise) 1 Selecting research and evidence based practices (avg = 3.36) 2 Finding research and evidence based strategies on issues my organization is addressing (avg = 3.35) 3 Adapting these research and evidence based practices to the community’s context and culture (avg = 3.26) 4 Adapting these strategies to my organization’s or community’s capacity (avg = 3.24) 5 Evaluating the implementation of these strategies (avg = 3.01)

18. Assistance on Data Collection and Analysis for CBO’s Sources most never used by CBO’s: Books or printed toolkits (33% never used) Online guides or toolkits (31% never used) Top 3 sources of assistance CBO’s found most useful University and college faculty or students (avg = 3.06) Local nonprofit or data collaborative (avg = 3.04) Consultants (avg = 2.98)

19. Assistance on Data Collection and Analysis for CBO’s (cont’d) CBO’s ranked types of assistance that are more personal higher than those that are not Most Useful Type of Assistance for CBO’s (in rank order) 1. Workshops 2. Consultation or coaching 3. Online peer learning networks (bulletin boards, listservs, and learning communities) 4. Online guides 5. Webinars 6. Printable workbooks

21. David Chavis, PhD dchavis@communityscience.org 301-519-0722, ext. 109