Maine Public Health Data Reports

Data Sources

Term Description Source
American Community Survey (ACS) The ACS is a mail survey that provides demographic, socio-economic, and housing information about communities in between the 10-year census. The ACS is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The survey is sent to a sample of households in the United States. Households that receive the survey are required by law to complete it. Additional information about the ACS is available at www.census.gov/acs/www/ District Health Profiles (2007). Pg.83
Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Shows rates of injuries and illnesses; comparable state to state since it is part of a nationwide survey from US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additional information is available at www.bls.gov/data/ Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Chapter 8. Pg. 144
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) The BRFSS is an ongoing state- specific telephone survey that collects self-reported information from a random sample of non-institutionalized Maine adults, age 18 and older. The BRFSS survey data is weighted to be a representative sample of the adult population. The BRFSS monitors the prevalence of a variety of health issues including health status, chronic disease, behavioral risk factors, and prevention activities. Self-reported data including the BRFSS can underestimate negative personal attributes such as weight and drinking and over estimate positive personal attributes such as height or income. Additional information on BRFSS is available nationally at www.cdc.gov/brfss and for Maine at
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/brfss/index.shtml.
Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics, Maine CDC
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) The world's largest, on-going telephone health survey system, tracking health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States yearly since 1984. Conducted by the 50 state health departments as well as those in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin islands with support from the CDC/DHHS, BRFSS provides state-specific information about issues such as asthma, diabetes, health care access, alcohol use, hypertension, obesity, cancer screening, nutrition and physical activity, tobacco use, and more. Federal, state, and local health officials and researchers use this information to track health risks, identify emerging problems, prevent disease, and improve treatment. Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov/brfss. Maine's 2008-2009 State Health Plan (2008)
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Is part of a cooperative Federal / State program, and, therefore is comparable state to state. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Chapter 8. Pg. 144
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) A set of databases that contains the health information for patients from a variety of clinical service delivery processes, including laboratory data, pharmacy data, patient registration data, radiology data, surgical procedures, clinical and inpatient notes, preventive care delivery, emergency department visits, billing information, and so on. EMRs may also include clinical applications that can act on the data contained within the record, including clinical decision support systems, computerized provider order entry, and a reporting system. Maine's 2008-2009 State Health Plan (2008)
Hospital Discharge Datasets The hospital discharge datasets include all hospitalizations and emergency department visits in Maine facilities. The datasets are maintained by the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO), legislatively-established in 1996 to collect and maintain "clinical and financial health care information and to exercise stewardship in making this information accessible to the public". District Health Profiles (2007). Pg. 83
Infectious Disease Reports (ID) Infectious disease reporting requirements are established by statute. Maine licensed health care providers and facilities are required to report approximately 50 diseases to surveillance professionals to the Bureau of Health's Division of Disease Control. These reports are used to help identify any outbreaks and to assure that appropriate interventions are being implemented to prevent the spread of diseases. Data that are stripped of personal identifying information are available in annual reports as well as through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that collects this aggregate data from each state and reports it in their Morbidity Mortality Weekly report. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 184
Influenza, Pandemic Response Plan All hospitals in Maine are required to develop a Pandemic Influenza Response Plan that has practical, community-based procedures that could prevent or delay the spread of pandemic influenza, and help to reduce the burden of illness communities would contend with during an outbreak. Adapted from the District Health Profiles (2007).Pg.77
Influenza Surveillance, Sentinel Provider Program The Maine CDC and a group of primary care providers statewide participate in the federal CDC's Sentinel Provider Influenza Surveillance Program. Sentinel Providers report the total number of patient visits each week and the number of patient visits for influenza-like illness by age group. This data is transmitted once a week via the internet or fax to a central data repository at the federal CDC. In addition, sentinel providers can submit specimens from a subset of patients to the State Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory for virus isolation free of charge. District Health Profiles (2007). Pg.76

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Maine Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) The Maine Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) of 5, 000 Maine adults, ages 18 and over, was conducted from August 1999 to May 2000 by the Maine Bureau of Health, Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control. The sample was selected from six regions in the state. Each region encompasses two to four counties of the state, matched on demographic and economic characteristics. The respondents were randomly selected and interviewed by telephone on Cigarette Use, Cessation, Use of Other Tobacco Products, Environmental Tobacco Exposure and Policies, Tobacco Beliefs and Perceptions, and Demographics.

The Survey was also conducted again in 2003 - 2004. In 2007, the MATS was merged with the Maine BRFSS.
Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 185

Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control, Division of Chronic Disease, Maine CDC
Maine Cancer Registry (MCR) The Maine Cancer Registry (MCR) is a statewide population-based cancer surveillance system. The MCR collects information about all newly diagnosed and treated cancers in Maine residents (except basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin). This information is used to better understand cancer and improve cancer prevention, treatment and control. Cancer Incidence & Mortality in Maine 1997 - 1998 (undated). Pg. 3
Maine Cancer Registry (MCR) The Maine CDC's Cancer Registry collects and analyzes data to monitor trends and investigate possible cancer clusters. District Health Profiles (2007).Pg.24
Maine Cancer Registry (MCR) Created in the 1980s, the Maine Cancer Registry collects statewide cancer incidence and mortality data; identifies cancer trends among Maine's citizens; and responds to queries and data requests from researchers, other agencies, and the public. The goal of these activities is to facilitate cancer prevention and control. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 184
Maine Child Health Survey K, 3rd and 5th grade data, which includes measured height / weight for BMI. Physical Activity and Nutrition, Division of Chronic Disease, Maine CDC
Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine's Department of Education (DOE) collects and disseminates information on its student population on an annual basis. Additional information is available at www.maine.gov/education/
datalist.htm
.
District Health Profiles (2007). Pg. 83
Maine Department of Public Safety Provides criminal justice, law enforcement, fire safety, and emergency response services. Additional information is available at www.maine.gov/dps/. District Health Profiles (2007). Pg. 83
Maine General Population Drug and Alcohol Survey (2004) The Maine Office of Substance Abuse's (OSA) statewide quantitative research study on drug and alcohol use and abuse issues. Principles of this study were to: Evaluate the prevalence of alcohol and drug use and abuse among Maine residents aged 18 to 64; and measure the impacts of the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs on workplace performance. Additional information is available at www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/data/
pubrpts.htm
.
District Health Profiles (2007). Pg. 83
Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO) MHDO was established as an independent executive agency in 1996 to continue the data collection function of the former Maine Health Care Finance Commission. Although the original data collection focused on hospital inpatient (1986) and non-hospital ambulatory data (1990), MHDO is now moving towards collecting all health care claims data from all health care providers and all payers. Additional information is available at . Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 185
Maine Vital Records A unit within Maine CDC charged with collecting data on births and deaths within the state and among Maine residents. Raw data from Vital Records are processed by the statistical service unit to produce analysis-ready datasets. District Health Profiles (2007). Pg. 84
Maine Vital Records Vital records are reported to the Bureau of Health and include records of births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages and divorces. Although Maine became a state in 1820, vital records were not collected routinely by the State until 1892. Approximately 42,000 events are currently registered each year. Additional information is available at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/index.shtml. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 185
Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey (MYDAUS) MYDAUS is conducted by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services. It has been conducted periodically since 1988. The 1998 and 2000 surveys were administered to about 22,000 and 30,000 students respectively in grades 6-12. However, since the survey did not use a random sample of schools, the data collected was not representative of all schools or students in the State, just those who completed the survey. Methodologies used by this survey have varied between the different years it has been conduced, so the ability to compare them is limited. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 185
Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey / Maine Youth Tobacco Survey (MYDAUS/MYTS) The MYDAUS/MYTS represents a collaborative effort between the Office of Substance Abuse (OSA) and the Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control (PTM), and provides comprehensive data on substance use among Maine's 6th - 12th graders. Fully private schools are not included in the MYDAUS/MYTS sampling frame. Additional information on MYDAUS is available at www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/data/
mydaus/index.htm
.
District Health Profiles (2007). Pg. 84

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Maine Youth Tobacco Survey (MYTS) The Maine Youth Tobacco Survey (MYTS), a school-based survey of Maine youth in grades 6 -12, is conducted as part of the Independent Evaluation of the Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control. The survey is a self-administered questionnaire developed to obtain the opinions, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of Maine youth with regard to tobacco use and related behaviors. The instrument is more extensive but similar to the core Youth Tobacco Survey that has been implemented by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) throughout the US. The survey was conducted in Maine in 1999 and 2001, using a slightly shorter version of the survey for students in grades 6-8. A random sample of 120 schools was selected that was representative of all middle and high schools from across the State. Of these 120 schools, approximately 100 schools participated in the surveys. The entire population of the selected schools completed the survey, resulting in sample sizes of nearly 25,000 students. Weighting of the sample was done for the school level and for the student level. Another youth survey is planned for 2004. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 186
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Within the federal CDC, the NCHS provides national birth and death data through various print and online sources. These statistics are compiled from data submitted by individual states. District Health Profiles (2007). Pg. 84
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Funded by the CDC, PRAMS is a state-wide representative survey of new mothers that is currently conducted in 37 states. It has been conducted on an ongoing basis in Maine since 1987. The survey collects data on maternal experiences and attitudes before, during and shortly after pregnancy. The estimates derived from PRAMS are weighted to be representative of women who have recently delivered live-born infants in the state. Additional information on PRAMS is available nationally at www.cdc.gov/prams and for Maine at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/prams/index.shtml . District Health Profiles (2007).Pg.84
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) PRAMS is an ongoing sample survey conducted since 1987 and administered by the Bureau of Health to Maine mothers within a few months after delivery. The goal of this survey is to provide State-specific information that assists in program and policy planning that will improve the health of mothers and infants. Questions are asked about experiences before, during, and after pregnancy and include such items as tobacco and alcohol use, breastfeeding, prenatal care, health insurance coverage, infant care, and exposure to violence. PRAMS is funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is conducted in most but not all states. The average sample size in Maine ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 annually. Additional information is available at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/index.shtml. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 185
Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates A U.S. Census Bureau program that provides more recent income and poverty measures than are available through the 10-year census. Information is available at the state, county, and school district level. District Health Profiles (2007).Pg.84
US Census Bureau The Census Bureau provides data on the people and economy of the United States. Additional information is available at www.census.gov/. District Health Profiles (2007).Pg.84
Workers' Compensation Claims Shows number of injuries and illnesses that result in workers' compensation claim; is not comparable state to state since reporting requirements vary across the nation. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Chapter 8. Pg. 144
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) The YRBS is a biennial survey supported by the federal CDC, but conducted at the state level. The YRBS was designed to collect uniform data on health risk behavior among youth. The sampling frame include publicly-funded Maine middle and high schools and the students attending those schools. Survey data for estimates are weighted to be a representative sample of the state youth population. Additional information on YRBS, including design and analysis features, is available at www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/. District Health Profiles (2007).Pg.84
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) YRBS uses a questionnaire administered to a sample of Maine high school students (and middle school students grades 7-8 (sic) starting in 1999) gathered every two years since 1993. YRBS is conducted in other states; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds and analyzes the survey. With a sample size of about 2,200, the survey collects data on six categories of health risk behavior: injury, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behavior, diet and nutrition, and physical activity. In Maine, the Department of Education administers the survey. Information collected from YRBS is used to more effectively address health issues our youth are facing. When the response rate has an overall response rate of 60% or higher, the CDC weighs the results so that the numbers can be generalized to all public schools for the grades surveyed. When the overall response rate is below 60%, the CDC cannot perform such statistical analysis, and the data applies only to the students who actually completed the questionnaire. Maine's YRBS data for 1993 and 1999 was un-weighted, so information cannot be compared reliably with data from 1995, 1997 and 2001. Additional information is available at https://www.maine.gov/doe/healthed/. Healthy Maine 2010 (2002). Appendix. Pg. 186

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