Use CDC WONDER to extract mortality (if applicable) and state health department dashboards for emergency department visit data.
The digital safety net exists. Whether we use it to understand, to stigmatize, or to heal—that remains a profoundly human choice. All resources cited above are accessible as of 2025 without paywalls or institutional logins. Always verify data use agreements for redistribution. Use CDC WONDER to extract mortality (if applicable)
Search “[Your County] Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) free PDF.” Nonprofit hospitals are required to produce these publicly. All resources cited above are accessible as of
Include: population size, top three causes of morbidity/mortality, three leading social determinants, and one existing intervention gap. Conclusion: From Data to Dignity The free online infrastructure for population health research has matured dramatically. A decade ago, county-level mortality data required FOIA requests or paid subscriptions. Today, a high school student with a library internet connection can analyze cancer disparities or map vaccine deserts. Include: population size