Enhancing Epidemiological Capacity and Data Access in Minnesota Through the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup

BACKGROUND:  To build epidemiological capacity, Minnesota’s State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) developed a user-friendly, interactive online data repository housing resources, tools, training materials, and sub-state level data on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, consequences, and risk and protective factors in 2008. The website, Substance Use in MN (or SUMN), is currently being expanded to include risk and protective factors shared between substance abuse prevention, mental health promotion, and suicide prevention.

METHODS:  Analysis of website traffic, SUMN-user survey results, and feedback shared by stakeholders at state conferences, meetings, workshops, and trainings were used by the SEOW to evaluate the utility of site content and to enhance the site with additional indicators, data, tools, and resources. Website traffic measured used include: site visits, new versus returning visitors, page views, time spent on the site, traffic sources, search terms, site usage by Minnesota cities, and dates of peak use. Surveys have been used to rate the helpfulness of proposed new indicators, and to determine how stakeholders have used information from SUMN in their work.

RESULTS: Site traffic increases following the release of requests for proposals, confirming its utility for needs assessment. Page visits to the SUMN’s Reading Room increase significantly following the release of community-level data dissemination products. User feedback indicates that high school and post-secondary teachers are using the site for class projects. Requests and questions submitted via SUMN by law enforcement, media, schools, local public health agencies, and community coalitions provides evidence for the cross-sector utility of the site for assessment, planning, resource allocation, and evaluation. Survey responses from users have guided SEOW decision making regarding new indicators and data added. Lastly, development of SUMN has enhanced the SEOW’s ability to disseminate data, resources, and training opportunities to a wider audience and in a timely manner. 

CONCLUSIONS: The SEOW’s interactive website has been an invaluable tool for increasing community-level epidemiological capacity. Though a majority of Minnesota communities lack a local epidemiological workgroup or epidemiologist, SUMN has provided the data and tools necessary for local-level assessment, prioritization, planning, dissemination, mobilization, monitoring, and evaluation.