Data Presentations
Sharing community health data is essential for fostering transparency, trust, and collaboration between health departments and the public. By providing accurate and accessible information, health departments empower individuals, organizations, and policymakers to make informed decisions and take action on key health issues. Data increases awareness, promotes education, and encourages community partnerships to address challenges like chronic diseases, substance use, or infectious disease outbreaks.
Health data also enables communities to track progress toward health goals, advocate for funding or policy changes, and prepare for emerging health threats. It drives accountability, empowers individuals to make healthier choices, and supports coordinated efforts to improve overall community well-being. In sharing this information, health departments play a vital role in building a healthier, more resilient future.
Eaton County
Communicable Disease Reporting
The data in the Monthly Disease Reports are provisional, based on current reports in the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS) made by local public health departments. The MDSS is a dynamic, continually active system; total and year to date (YTD) disease counts are constantly changing as cases are investigated, confirmed as cases, or ruled out as not meeting the case definition. Each Monthly Disease Report reflects this constant activity as the numbers may slightly fluctuate each month. Therefore, it should be kept in mind that numbers in the Monthly Disease Reports are not final and should be used only to generally monitor trends over time. Unknown, suspect, probable, and confirmed cases of the reportable condition are included in the report.
BRFS - Behavioral Risk Factor Survey
The BRFS is the nation’s largest health-related telephone survey (landline or cell phone) and is conducted locally every three years. The survey is used to track the health of the population in Barry and Eaton counties, as well as creating and evaluating programs to support health and prevent disease. Advantage Research is conducting the survey on behalf of the Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD).
The survey collects data on the prevalence of various behaviors, health conditions, and preventive health care practices. The survey questions are based off questions developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). BEDHD partners with Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) and Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) to tailor the questions and wording to the specific needs of the population in Barry and Eaton County and surrounding areas.
The BRFS is an anonymous survey of randomly chosen residents aged 18 and older living in Barry or Eaton County. The information collected in the survey cannot be linked back to the participant. The data received will be analyzed by race, ethnicity, gender, education, income, location, etc. and used for the Community Health Needs Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans completed in Barry and Eaton counties.
For questions about the BRFS Survey, please contact: Aurelia Hocquard, Epidemiologist AHocquard@bedhd.org
[Page last updated: 2/27/2025]