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How To... - Disseminate Data
How to Publish a Summary Report
A summary report summarizes the main findings of the surveillance data
and provides the audience with an easy-to-read report on state surveillance
data findings and recommendations. The
Pediatric
Surveillance System 2003 Report* (PDF - 381K) summarizes
the national PedNSS data and is an example of a summary report.
This is also available in
text-only format.* (PDF -
381K)
To assist you in writing a state or county report, a template for a Summary
Report for PedNSS is provided in the Examples: Contributor
Summary Report section below. The text in the template reflects the
national data. You will need to modify the text to reflect your data. Enter
your
state/county data and graphics and modify the text of the report
to reflect your data results. Including an executive summary no longer than
one to two pages that highlights the critical findings can be useful.
Considerations when writing a summary report:
- If
you want to convince your audience that a problem is getting worse
over time, show trend data. Presenting trends over time show the
current problem, quantifies the increase in the problem, and allows
some projection
about the problem in the future if the trend continues.
- Compare
state data to other populations such as national
PNSS and
PedNSS data and to national objectives such as the Healthy People 2010 objectives to put the data into a broader context
and allow the audience to see the big picture.
- Emphasize
the implications of your data by giving additional information.
For example, between 1992 and 2001 overweight in children 2 years of
age and older increased by 13%. Overweight children are more likely
to be obese as adults than children who are not overweight.
- Use
graphics to capture attention and convey information quickly. In every
graphics you present, make one key point. Label everything
clearly so that a graph makes sense by itself if it were to be reproduced.
- Be
clear in your writing. Be simple and direct.
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Tips for writing a data summary report:
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Example: Template for PedNSS Contributor Summary Report
The template for the Summary Report reflects findings in the national
PedNSS data and may not be representative of your specific data.
Change the text as needed to accurately portray your data. In the
concluding sections on "Infant and Child Health Advances and Concerns"
and "Pediatric Nutrition Recommendations," be specific about the
issues identified in your data. Recommendations for your state, territory
or tribal government may not be the same as those presented in the
template. Provide thoughtful recommendations based on your data.
Include graphics to support the data you present.
*This document is available in Portable Document
Format (PDF). You will need Acrobat
Reader (a free application) to view and print this document.
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