Indicator set A is relatively simple both in number of indicator categories and in number of suggested measures. It focuses on 3 primary health areas: health and disease outcomes, protective health behaviors, and access to health care. Health determinants associated with ecological or social factors are not considered by this model. The focus is on selection of indicator categories and possible measures that would have almost immediate recognition with the general population and select population groups and have existing data sets from which information can be collected on a routine basis. Sources such as Vital Statistics, Surveillance, Epidemiologic, and End Results Registries, National Health Interview Survey, Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey would be key data contributors. At this point, the sample indicator set does not address the issue of relative weights of indicators and their suggested measures. Rather, it proposes each indicator and measure as separate and equal assessments of the health of the nation's population and select population groups. Its inclusion of references to select population groups within each measure ensures that the significance of the Year 2010 Vision of eliminating health disparities will be maintained. Finally, Table A, displaying congruence between indicators and essential criteria is included in Appendix A.
Indicator Category: Health and Disease Outcomes
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Preventive Health Behaviors
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Access to Health Care System
Suggested Measures
Indicator Set B attempts to be all inclusive in nature by referencing all plausible factors that might directly impact or mediate health and health outcomes. It consists of 8 indicator categories with multiple measures suggested for each of the specific categories. Congruence between these 8 indicators and the 14 essential criteria are displayed in Table B, Appendix B. The measures rely heavily on epidemiological constructs and would require extensive reworking to ensure that they are meaningful to the general public and select population groups. Currently the total number of suggested measures is quite expansive and will require significant reduction in order for the set to be effective as a leading health indicator set that elicits public interest and motivates public actions. As with Indicator Set A and the remaining 4 Indicator Sets described below, there are specific references to both the general population and select population groups in order to emphasize the importance of elimination of health disparities. Similar to the other sample indicator sets, Set B does not impose relative weights of significance or importance on specific indicators or measures at this time, although it is likely that relative weights would be assigned if the set were to test well with the public and be included as a recommended leading health indicator set in the final report.
Indicator Category: Preventable Death
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Preventable Morbidity
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Disabilities
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Mental Health
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Health Status
Suggested Measure
Indicator Category: Ecological
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Preventive Health Behaviors
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Access to Health Care
Suggested Measures
This is a relatively simple model with a primary emphasis on ecological factors that affect health and health outcomes. Rather than measuring specific health behaviors or dimensions, it assesses factors or policies that are likely to mediate these health behaviors. It consists of only nine indicators, which could facilitate dissemination to the general population and select population groups. This advantage however, is offset by the likelihood that these specific measures may not be readily recognizable by, or understandable to various population groups, which may undermine their ability to motivate personal action. Furthermore, the indicators and suggested measures are not directed toward individual behaviors that might be susceptible to change. Consequently, it may be difficult to develop a dissemination plan for this sample indicator set that effectively engages the public. Appendix C contains the table displaying congruence between indicators and the 14 essential criteria. This model does address the important topic of health disparities by referencing both the general population and select population groups as measurement targets.
Indicator Category: Education Level
Suggested Measure
Indicator Category: Air Quality
Suggested Measure
Indicator Category: Fiscal Access
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Health Literacy
Suggested Measure
Indicator Category: Homelessness
Suggested Measure
Indicator Category: Violence
Suggested Measure
Indicator Category: Tobacco
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Injury
Suggested Measure
Indicator Set D is expressed as a series of 4 questions. (1) how do we keep ourselves well; (2) if we are getting sick, how can we find disease early; (3) if we are sick or disabled, how do we keep from getting worse; and (4) how healthy are we? The use of 4 simple questions is appealing in that they speak directly to issues that the general public and select population groups will likely comprehend. Each question is followed by a series of health indicators and potential measures that suggest individual or community-based action in order to improve the nation's answers to each of the 4 questions. Congruence between the indicators and the 14 essential criteria is displayed in Table D, Appendix D. The indicators are not weighted in any manner at present, although this would be necessary for this set to be accepted as a recommended leading health indicator set for the final report. Furthermore, at this stage of development, the set consists of too many suggested measures, but, as with Indicator Set B, these can be reduced. The issue of elimination of health disparities is handled effectively by this framework as it is in the other sets with reference to the general population and select population groups for each of the suggested measures. This framework lends
itself easily to the development of a dissemination plan based on the 4 primary or leading health questions.
Indicator Category: Primary Prevention
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Secondary Prevention
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Tertiary Care
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Health Status
Suggested Measures
This sample indicator set covers all of the issues directly and indirectly associated with health behaviors and outcomes but is somewhat more limited in scope than its counterpart Indicator Set B. It addresses the issue of elimination of health disparities through specification of select population groups and the general population in each of the suggested measures, thereby keeping health disparities a salient and important target. Congruence between the 14 essential criteria and each indicator is displayed in Table E, Appendix E. This indicator set requires reduction of the suggested measures within each indicator category, to ensure that the set is of a reasonable size and content for inclusion as a recommended indicator set in the final report. The various indicator categories within the title of the indicator set form an acronym, POISE, that might elicit public attention and promote engagement in appropriate behaviors. However, the acronym and the full set of indicators require evaluation by the general population and select population groups to determine their effectiveness in engaging and motivating the public. As with the other 5 sample indicator sets, weights have not been assigned either to the indicator categories or to suggested measures, which implies that all are equivalent in their impact on health outcomes. The committee is currently addressing the issue of weighting specific measures for each of the 6 sample indicator sets.
Indicator Category E: Preventive Health Behaviors
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Occupational and Ecological Issues
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Indicators of Disease Incidence and Outcomes
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Service Availability
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Environment and Ecological
Suggested Measures
The final sample set of indicators is adapted from Healthy People 2010 in that it uses the four enabling goals to provide a framework around which indicators and suggested measures can be organized. Rather than selecting indicator categories from the master list of candidate indicators (Table 4-1), this organizational structure relies on the four enabling goals to define priority areas for indicators. This model is particularly attractive given its close integration with the Healthy People 2010 effort. However, it is currently constrained by two primary issues—the total number of indicators and measures and its questionable level of recognition by the general public and select population groups. It is highly likely however to elicit support and credibility with the public health community given the direct link with Healthy People 2010. The elimination of health disparities is addressed in the same manner in which the previous five frameworks have dealt with this issues. At this point, the committee has not selected a plan to weight individual indicators and measures, which is essential if the total number of measures and indicators is to be reduced to a reasonable number for a leading health indicator set. Appendix F displays the chart providing an evaluation of congruence between indicators and the 14 essential criteria.
Increase Years of Healthy Life
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Preventive Health Behaviors
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Protective Health Behavior
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Access to Quality Health Care
Suggested Measures
Indicator Category: Community Prevention
Suggested Measures