What to know
CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) approach to health equity science is to gather and analyze data through surveillance systems to understand which groups are most affected by chronic disease, and then use this data to figure out what actions can be taken to help eliminate health inequities.
Chronic disease data applications
NCCDPHP collects data on chronic disease conditions, in addition to data on social needs, structural and social determinants of health, and other drivers of health disparities and markers of health inequity. CDC maintains a variety of interactive applications that provide data, maps, and charts on chronic diseases that can be used by people working in public health to better understand health disparities in their communities.
Featured data
Data, Trends, and Maps – Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
This interactive database provides national and state data about the health status and behaviors of Americans. It also includes data on environmental or policy supports. Categories include breastfeeding, fruits and vegetables, physical activity, sugar drinks, television watching, and obesity/weight status.
Interactive Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke
This web-based interface allows users to view county maps of heart disease and stroke by racial and ethnic group, along with maps of socioeconomic conditions and health services for the entire United States or for a chosen state or territory.
This interactive map lets users explore the number of people receiving fluoridated water in their state or county. The database also presents state data for children and adults across various indicators, including rates of cavities, dental visits, and tooth loss.
Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates (PLACES)
PLACES provides modeled data estimates for all U.S. counties, incorporated and census-designated places, ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, and census tracts. PLACES reports data for 36 chronic disease measures, including social determinants of health that substantially impact public health.
Chronic disease surveillance systems
Public health surveillance refers to the collection, analysis, and use of data to guide public health prevention efforts. Public health practitioners use these data to better understand things like:
- How many people engage in unhealthy behaviors.
- How many people have chronic diseases.
- How many people access preventive care.
- How well prevention efforts are working.
Health equity science examines patterns and factors that contribute to health inequities. The data from surveillance systems is used as evidence to guide programs, policy, communications, and future scientific study focused on eliminating inequities.
Learn more about the many chronic disease surveillance systems.
Featured surveillance
Data from surveillance can be used to inform actions and programs that can keep people safer and healthier. These data are used to examine larger trends to guide recommendations and future research. The following three chronic disease surveillance systems are just a few examples from NCCDPHP’s rich resource collection.
Current cigarette smoking among adults in the United States
Review CDC's latest data on adult tobacco use. Information is presented by race and ethnicity, education, annual household income, sexual orientation, health insurance coverage, disability/limitation, and mental health symptoms.
Breastfeeding, obesity, and physical inactivity maps
Breastfeeding initiation maps, adult obesity maps, and adult physical inactivity maps highlight disparities and can be used to identify places that might benefit from focused interventions.
United States Diabetes Surveillance System
This interactive web application provides national, state, and county estimates of diabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity in the context of important social factors, including access to health care, transportation, and healthy food.