Video and Tutorial Help Data Users Prepare for Launch of Census Bureau’s New American FactFinder

[Editor Flahiff’s note:
Many health/medical topics and issues have socioeconomic dimensions.
The US Census Bureau, including products as American Fact Finder, are great sources of demographic and economic statistics]

From an October 28 US Census Bureau press release

In January 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau plans to launch a revamped version of its data delivery tool, American FactFinder. The new American FactFinder offers a new look, new tools and easier access to Census Bureau information. In order to prepare users for this change, the Census Bureau has prepared an online video, the American FactFinder Virtual Tour, and a tutorial to demonstrate the enhanced features and functions of the new and improved FactFinder.

First results from Census 2010 will be available on the NEW American FactFinderin February 2011.

It is important for users to become familiar with accessing data from the new FactFinder in time for the release of 2010 Census data starting next year. The American FactFinder will be the primary tool used to access all 2010 Census data.[Editor Flahiff’s emphasis] It will also give users access to other key data sets such as the American Community Survey, economic census and other programs.

In addition to the video, a tutorial, “American FactFinder Quick Start,” specifically demonstrates how to conduct a basic text search, view search results and select a data product to view. Additional tutorials on other new FactFinder functions, such as creating a map, transposing rows and columns, and performing topic searches, will be available in the near future.

To access the video and tutorial, visit American FactFinder at http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/aff2.html>.

Census Data Aids Disease Simulation Studies

Researchers used U.S. census data to create a synthetic population that helps disease modelers simulate the spread of infectious outbreaks, including H1N1. [From NIMGS News Item, March 31, 2010]

 

The US Census Bureau is only mandated to count people for Congressional District apportionments.
However, the US Census Bureau has historically increased its role through collecting and disseminating data in many  areas, including housing, health insurance, foreign trade, economics, and state income. 

Non government researchers apply census data in many imaginative and practical ways. For example,  a North Carolina corporation is using population data to “simulate the spread of an infectious outbreak through a community and identify the best ways to intervene”.  A recent news item outlines their progress.