Read this first · 15 minutes
Below is one page from the survey that produced Lakeview County's health data, and the summary the county published from it. Read both before you write anything.
1 The instrument
Telephone interview · 1,840 adults · Read questions exactly as worded
In what ZIP code do you currently live?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Interviewer: for geographic coding only. Do not probe.How old were you on your last birthday?
☐ ☐ years
Which of the following best describes your current employment situation?
☐ Employed full time☐ Employed part time☐ Out of work☐ Homemaker☐ Retired☐ Unable to work
How many people, including yourself, currently live in your household?
☐ ☐ people
Would you say that in general your health is —
☐ Excellent☐ Good☐ Fair☐ Poor
Do you have one person you think of as your personal doctor or health care provider?
☐ Yes☐ No☐ More than one
About how long has it been since you last visited a doctor for a routine checkup?
☐ Within the past year☐ 1 to 2 years ago☐ 2 to 5 years ago☐ 5 or more years ago☐ Never
Now thinking about your mental health — which includes stress, depression, and problems with emotions — for how many days during the past 30 days was your mental health not good?
☐ ☐ days
On the days your mental health was not good, how much did it interfere with your usual activities?
☐ Not at all☐ A little☐ Somewhat☐ A lot
In the past 30 days, on how many days did you have at least one alcoholic drink?
☐ ☐ days
Which of these categories best describes your annual household income before taxes?
☐ Under $25,000☐ $25,000–$49,999☐ $50,000–$74,999☐ $75,000–$99,999☐ $100,000 or more☐ Declined
Is there a language other than English spoken in your home?
☐ Yes☐ No
Interview conducted in English or Spanish only.2 What the county published
Department of Health · Released March 2023 · Page 4
| Average age of respondents | 41.2 years |
| Average household size | 2.9 people |
| Average general health scoreQ14 coded 1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = fair, 4 = poor | 2.7 |
| Average poor mental health days, past 30 | 4.1 days |
| Average interference scoreQ24 coded 1 = not at all, 2 = a little, 3 = somewhat, 4 = a lot | 2.3 |
| Average ZIP code of respondents | 60426.25 |
| Percent employed full time | 48% |
| Percent with a personal health care provider | 71% |
Every figure above was produced from the same spreadsheet, in the same operation, on the same afternoon.
3 Your task
Work through all eight — you'll report out
| Figure | Publish? | Why — and if not, what instead |
|---|---|---|
| Average age — 41.2 years | Y / N | |
| Average household size — 2.9 people | Y / N | |
| Average general health score — 2.7 | Y / N | |
| Average poor mental health days — 4.1 | Y / N | |
| Average interference score — 2.3 | Y / N | |
| Average ZIP code — 60426.25 | Y / N | |
| Percent employed full time — 48% | Y / N | |
| Percent with a provider — 71% | Y / N |
Bring a reason for every row, including the ones you'd keep.