What do we mean by small area analysis? __ Small area analysis is an assessment procedure that focuses on small specific geographic areas or populations in order to point up disparities or differences among them and between them and a larger statistical pattern. __ It is usually important to involve the community in conducting small area analysis. Why conduct small area analysis? __ Small area analysis can identify disparities in health and services. __ It can show you issues you wouldn’t otherwise see. __ It helps you decide where to allocate resources. __ Small area analysis clarifies what problems, issues, and assets exist where. __ It can show what kind of effort is likely to be most effective in a particular place or with a particular population. __ Small area analysis can help to identify causes or contributing factors to a condition. When should you conduct small area analysis? __ When small areas are what you’re responsible for. __ When you have to allocate limited resources among a large number of areas. __ When statistics don’t add up. __ When you’re trying to pinpoint sources or causes of conditions. Who should be involved in conducting small area analysis? A short list of those who might conduct or contribute to small area analysis: __ Citizens concerned with or affected by conditions that create disparities among groups in different areas or with different characteristics. __ Public health agencies, officials, and coalitions. __ Other public agencies that provide services (e.g., welfare, children’s services). __ NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and community-based human service organizations. __ Community activists. __ Police and fire departments. __ Hospitals, clinics, and health professionals. __ Community developers. __ Community and regional planners. __ Municipal service departments, such as water, sewer, traffic, and public works. __ Foresters, wildlife biologists, and others concerned with the natural environment and unbuilt areas. How do you conduct small area analysis? __ Encourage community participation. __ Identify the outcomes you hope will result from small area analysis. __ Define the small areas you’ll examine. __ Choose the information you’ll look for, including: Demographics Environmental factors that might contribute to disparities Social determinants related to disparities Context __ Decide where you’ll seek information. The census Organizational and institutional files Municipal records State and federal government agency files Direct, hands-on information gathering __ Determine how you’ll analyze the information. Consider the timeliness of the information. Consider the quality of the information. Consider the geographic and demographic areas the information describes. Ask yourself questions that will help to identify and explain differences among small areas and between them and the larger community or statistical area. Are there disparities between small and larger areas? Are there disparities among small areas? Are there disparities within small areas? Are there factors in the physical environment that might contribute to or explain differences? Are there social, political, and/or economic factors (social determinants of health or SDOH) that might contribute to or explain differences? Are there cultural differences among the residents of small areas that contribute to the differences? Are there trends that show the issue increasing or decreasing in particular small areas or among particular population groups? Are numbers dependent on when measurements were taken? Do you know something the numbers don’t? __ Evaluate your small area analysis effort.
