Resources, Reports and Local Statistics

The DeKalb County Board of Health has developed several reports to provide information about the status of health in DeKalb County.

 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the 2010 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The DeKalb County Board of Health releases two health data sets: 2011 Communities Putting Prevention to Work, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report and the 2010 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

DeKalb 2010 Status of Health Report

The 2010 Status of Health in DeKalb Report describes time and geographic patterns of disease, leading causes of death, pregnancy outcomes and other important health information. The Status of Health report identifies priorities for health improvement and serves as a stimulus for community action.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Report

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is the world’s largest, on-going telephone health survey system, tracking health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States yearly since 1984.
CDC: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

DeKalb County Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Report

The DeKalb County Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System provides information about health risk behaviors, health conditions, and the use of health care services of adults age 18 years and over in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Survey

The Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Survey monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults including: (1) unintentional injuries and violence; (2) tobacco use; (3) alcohol and other drug use; (4) sexual behaviors (5) unhealthy dietary behaviors and (6) physical inactivity. In addition, the survey monitors the prevalence of obesity and asthma. It includes a national school-based survey and state and local school-based surveys. This report summarizes results from the national survey, 39 state surveys, and 22 local surveys conducted among students in grades 9–12 in 2007.

Connecting with the Community

The Office of Chronic Disease Prevention received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce and prevent asthma, diabetes, and obesity. Efforts targeted community, worksite, schools, faith base organizations, and health care. Many of the initiatives are highlighted in Connecting with the Community report which is available electronically.
Read the Connecting with the Community Report

Gardens in the Parks: Growing a Garden Policy

The DeKalb County Gardens in the Parks policy was initiated in response to a local food environment assessment and growing interest in gardening in public spaces. The proposed policy includes three main goals: 1) to increase access to healthy foods; 2) to increase opportunities for moderate physical activity; and 3) to integrate community gardens into DeKalb County strategic planning. The implementation guide was developed by the Board of Health’s Strategic Alliance for Health program and outlines the policy process, from the planning stage, to partnership engagement, and drafting the proposed policy, and to the final steps, including key negotiations necessary for adoption. The intended audience for implementation guide is any community or government agency engaged in chronic disease prevention, specifically agencies interested in implementing community-based policy change strategies to improve nutrition and healthy eating through community gardens.
Down load the Gardens in the Parks: Growing a Garden Policy

Community Kitchen Guide

The DeKalb Board of Health received a “Steps to a HealthierUS” grant in 2005, which focused on reducing the burden of diabetes, obesity and asthma, and addressed three related risk behaviors—physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use. Through the Steps program, the DeKalb Board of Health piloted a community kitchen to address low access to fresh healthy food. A community kitchen allows individuals and groups to gather, prep meals, learn about cooking and nutrition, and bring home low-cost, healthy meals to later cook for their family. At the “kitchen”, participants are guided through prepping several meals, that are packaged “to go” with cooking directions. Once home, meals can be refrigerated and cooked within a few days or frozen for future use. Anyone can start a community kitchen; the basic essentials are space, some basic kitchen tools, like measuring spoons, simple food items, and community interest.  The newly created manual, supported by the Strategic Alliance for Health program, is designed to provide its readers a step-by-step guide for planning and operating their own community kitchen. The manual may be copied and modified as needed to meet the needs and characteristics of an organization or community.
Download the Community Kitchens Manual

Social Network Analysis supported by the Strategic Alliance for Health

To provide insight into the Live Healthy DeKalb Coalition’s social capital, the Center for Community Health and Evaluation was contracted to analyze the social networks within the coalition to show the level of connection among members. Key members were interviewed around topics which included coalition accomplishments, benefits, prominent health concerns, areas of improvement, strengths and social networks. The results of the analysis showed an exemplary coalition and strong commitment to the cause of increasing health equity in DeKalb County. Here are the complete results of the Social Network Analysis conducted through the Strategic Alliance for Health Grant.

Download the SNA Presentation

Clarkston Active Living report 

The Clarkston Active Living report renders an accurate image of current conditions in Clarkston and suggests a comprehensive approach to addressing chronic diseases and related risk factors. The active living planning process involved an extensive look at the existing conditions of the community through policy and land use reviews and walkability and bikeability assessments conducted by residents. The process gathered feedback from the community through focus groups, individual interviews, and surveys. This information was compiled and used to create recommendations to improve the community and make it easier to live an active life. This report summarizes the process and outcomes of the active living initiative in the Clarkston community. The active living plan is part of an initiative funded through the Strategic Alliance for Health program, a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Download the Clarkston Active Living Report

Active Living Plan: City of Doraville

A plan for making Doraville a safer and more comfortable place to live an active lifestyle.

Download the Active Living Plan

2013 Community Health Improvement Plan

Download the Community Health Improvement Plan