The State of Community Health Data: Local Intelligence in a Changing Landscape
Where is community health data headed — and what’s standing in its way?
That’s the question Metopio CEO Will Snyder and VP of Data Heather Blonsky explored in Metopio's recent webinar on the future of community health data. In an era of shifting federal data sources and increasing pressure on public health teams, one thing is clear: trusted, actionable, local data is more essential than ever.
Federal Data in Flux
We know several federal data sources have been delayed, removed, or compromised in recent months. From the disappearance of EPA’s EJScreen data to stalled CDC datasets, the gaps are growing. But this isn’t entirely new. As Heather reminded us, “There are always revisions. There’s always something that came in late or got corrected. That’s part of the job.” The key is knowing how to evaluate, reassemble, and contextualize what remains — and finding ways to gather and control your own data!
Reframing Data Trust and Specificity
As federal sources fluctuate, there's a growing need for hyperlocal insights that reflect what’s actually happening in communities. Whether it's using unconventional data (like consumer spending patterns) to assess economic stress, or aggregating environmental sensor data at the municipal level, we must get creative and thoughtful in how we evaluate sources — and always keep local context front and center.
Building Local Insights When Gaps Exist
Many LHDs are turning to localized surveys as a faster, more targeted alternative to traditional, large-scale data collection. While national surveys like BRFSS are critical for benchmarking, their limited sample sizes often fail to capture the hyperlocal nuances that matter most. When communities can generate their own data, prioritize specific populations, and collaborate across organizations, they can fill the gaps and build something better.
The Takeaway for Public Health Teams
Lean on your local data. What your community partners know (what your surveys tell you) might be the most reliable thing you have access to. Especially in times of uncertainty, it’s not about more data, it’s about the right data.