"Why us?" I: no answer?

When I am working on the local health issues stories for Athens-Clarke County, I ask the experts one question—“Why us?”

“Why we do have higher health risks than other states?” or “Why do we have higher health risks than other counties?”

Regarding the food safe issue, our county has a higher rate of “high risk” restaurants than other counties in Northeast Georgia.

Regarding the teenage pregnancy issue, Clarke County had the highest rate in Georgia twenty years ago. Georgia had the highest rate in the United State in the 90s.

Regarding the senior obesity, the rate in Clarke and Greene Counties is 55%, much higher than the average Georgia, 37%.

So what is the relation between these facts?

Most experts would give two possible answers: a higher poverty rate and a larger minority population. But, they are not sure about it.

Most researchers don’t study the relationship between the demographic characteristics and their research findings.

In my opinion, this limitation is a natural result produced during the scientific research process.
First, researchers want to control the variance of samples and get significant different results between their target group and their control group (baseline). So they always choose the samples sharing similar characteristics, for example, those living in the same area, having a similar life style, or getting exposed to the same hazard. In that case, they don’t need to answer the question “why us” by comparing their subjects to others who already have been excepted from their research at the very beginning.

Second, the funding is a real problem for researchers. Under most situations, a single institute can’t afford to do everything all by itself. Data collecting and data analysis will be a big challenge if a single institute wants to cover a big area. A better choice is just for a big organization to collect information separately from each area then analyze it together. CDC and WHO gave great examples of how they work on nationwide, even worldwide.

Use Google to draw your own maps

When it is hard to understand something by words, I would like to use a table. When it is hard to understand numerous numbers in table, I would like to use a figure. So I draw this map of restaurant distribution for my story, and try to figure out something "news-worth".

I have learned how to GIS software to draw a map with several layers. I must admit it's a very professional and powerful tool for the scientist to analyze the habit, population and other characteristic of animal species. But, since I just need a simple map to show me a clear distribution, Google maps is my best choice.

Just set up 'my maps', enter your interest point address, save it to your maps,then you are done! It is easy and quick! The only problem is you may need to take some time to enter all your interest point, harhar!
Here is my maps,


View 7355 HW in a larger map

Know Your County

Here are useful website address for knowing Athens-Clarke County:

1. Athens-Clarke County Guide:
A general information resource about Athens-Clarke county from University of Georgia Libraries. It provides the linkages involving almost all aspects you may think about this county. A very useful database guidance.
website: Athens-Clarke County Guide


2. Northeast Health District
Local information: health program, services, offices, etc. No much detail information, you'd better call the officials directly to get information.
website: Northeast Health District

3. US Census Bureau
Need a table to make numerous numbers more clearly? Here you go. Compare all numbers between counties and average level in the U.S.
website: US Census Bureau

4. Georgia Department of Community Health:
You can enter your county name then search for the information about community health, such as the list of clinics, health program, etc. Their map doesn't have demographic information.
website: Georgia Department of Community Health

5. Online Analytical Statistical Information System (OASIS):
A web-based tools for public health and public policy data analysis. It provides color demographic profiles and mapping tool. The colorful demographic profiles give explains for each colorful area demographical characteristics. But their maps seem like can't zoom enough to get detail information.
website: OASIS

6. ER sys.com
"Our mission is simple: deliver to our viewers the most complete information possible on any destination." Yes, they do. Their demographic maps are the easiest understand one I have ever seem so far. Not so much detail information, but I think that's enough.
website: ER sys.com