The easy-to-use profiles of 87 incorporated communities and towns can be found on the Department’s web site, www.hs.state.az.us. The concise set of indicators focuses on access to care, leading causes of death, risk factors, accident rates, and other top measures.

The first of its kind report allows communities to compare their status to areas with similar demographics, the state, and the nation. Health departments, elected officials, community groups and other interested parties can use these profiles to address a number of health issues, to facilitate health program planning, and to take steps to improve the health of communities.

“This report provides residents and communities across Arizona with important health and health-related data,” said Arizona Department of Health Services Director Catherine Eden.

“These profiles give communities an opportunity to discover strengths, problems, and needs. We hope we are laying the groundwork for positive change,” Eden said.

The information in the report may provide the foundation for determining the health status of a community; discovering trends in population, health strengths and problems; establishing priorities for health concerns; evaluating interventions; and building coalitions around a particular health issue.

Visit the Arizona Department of Health Service’s web site for more information, www.hs.state.az.us, and for ideas for using the report.