Epi Research Reports provide information on research methodology and use of data by the New York City Health Department in its ongoing work to promote and protect the health of all New Yorkers.

Epi Research Reports and Appendices

• NEWSelf-Reported and Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity: A Comparison in New York City
  Research Report (PDF) - Appendix (PDF)
  April 2013
  In 2010-2011, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted the Physical Activity and Transit (PAT) survey, a random-digit-dial telephone survey of adult New Yorkers that tracked levels of sedentary behaviors and physical activity at work, in the home, for recreation and as active transportation (e.g., walking and biking). A subset of those who completed an interview also was asked to take part in a follow-up study in which their activity levels were measured objectively using an accelerometer device. This Epi Research Report examines the relationship between self-reported physical activity and accelerometer-measured physical activity and provides best practice recommendations for using self-reported data. 
  
  
• NEWFirearm Deaths and Injuries in New York City
  Research Report (PDF)
  April 2013
  Firearm deaths and injuries have severe and far-reaching effects on communities.  They impose health care, judicial, and incarceration-related costs, as well as a host of social and economic costs on the communities in which they occur.  While the past two decades have shown dramatic declines in firearm injuries in New York City, firearms persist as a leading cause of premature death among young men of color.  Using public health data sources to describe those injured by firearms, this report examines trends and patterns in firearm deaths and injuries in the city.  It highlights firearm violence, since most firearm deaths and injuries in New York City result from violence. 
  
  
• Increased Life Expectancy in New York City: What Accounts for the Gains?
  Research Report (PDF)
  March 2013
  Life expectancy has increased faster in New York City (NYC) than in the United States over the past decade. To describe and investigate this increase, this Epi Research Report examines changes in NYC life expectancy over time by sex, race/ethnicity and neighborhood poverty and at selected ages. The report also explores which age groups and causes of death have contributed the most to NYC life expectancy increases.
  
  
• Methodology Updates to the New York City Community Health Survey
  Research Report (PDF) - Appendix (PDF)
  September 2012
  The Community Health Survey (CHS) is an annual telephone survey that provides essential data used by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to monitor the health of New Yorkers, evaluate outcomes of public health initiatives and guide policy decisions. With the release of CHS 2011 data, the Health Department updated its methodology consistent with other large state and national surveys.  New weighting methods incorporate Census 2010 data and additional demographic characteristics to best represent the population of adult New Yorkers. After analyzing possible effects of these changes, the Health Department found that the updated methodology has minimal or no effect on CHS health estimates and does not impact the interpretation of trends in prevalence (percentages) over time.  This Research Report explains the methodology changes and provides guidance based on these key findings.
   
  
• Health Care Reform in New York City—Access to Primary Care Before Reform
  Research Report (PDF) - Appendix (PDF)
  November 2011
  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) — the nation's recent health care reform law — is expected to expand access to health insurance coverage for more New Yorkers and to emphasize preventive and primary care that has the most potential to save lives and prevent disease. As the ACA is implemented over the next several years, this series will monitor changes in access to primary care.
  
  
• Including New Yorkers Who Can Be Reached Only by Cell Phone in the Community Health Survey: Results from the 2008 Cell Phone Pilot Survey
  Research Report (PDF) - Appendix (PDF)
  May 2010
  The Community Health Survey (CHS) is an annual telephone survey that is a primary source of data used by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to monitor the health of New York Yorkers, evaluate the outcomes of public health initiatives, and guide policy decisions.  As part of the 2008 CHS, the DOHMH conducted a Cell Phone Pilot Survey to collect information from New Yorkers who could only be reached by cell phone, a population not captured by the landline telephone sample used by the CHS. This Epi Research Report shares the results of this pilot.