Health Data Website Guide: 

LINC (Log into North Carolina) http://linc.state.nc.us

Description:

An interactive data retrieval service. Provides connections to many sites containing NC-level and county-level data (and some even more detailed), from both state and federal sources. Also contains data definitions, as well as information about data sources. Links to over 1200 data items from state and federal agencies; historical data and projections; definitions and help screens; customized report capabilities; preformatted topic reports, including census profiles. Links to broad range of data: most relevant are data on vital statistics and health, social and human services; population and housing; law enforcement, courts, and corrections; and environment. Most data are available for the state and all 100 counties. Some items are available for municipalities. Others, especially census data, may be retrieved for tracts and townships. Reports may be viewed through your browser, printed, or saved as html files for loading into a spreadsheet. For example: Click in the report frame. From the file menu, choose "Save As.," and save as an html (.html) file. Open the htm file in Excel. Begin by selecting at least one geographic area in the left frame and then clicking Continue. The status bar below will reflect your choices as you proceed. Continual updates incorporating newly released data.

Comments:

Valuable resource for broad range of NC statistical data. Especially good for comparing counties on a number of variables. Advantage: Allows common starting place for a number of important data sites.

Directions for reaching the following data:

On Home Page, see "All NC Data Services Public Web Sites." You may either click on one of these (described below) if you know that is the data source of interest to you, or click on "Start LINC" for guided access to data. 

• Census Lookup-2000 Census: Contents: An interactive Web application that provides access to detailed Census information for NC. Demographic breakdown/ population: Same as US Census. Political unit(s): Same as US Census. Notes: URL: http://census.osbm.state.nc.us/lookup/. May be less user-friendly than US Census site.
• State Demographics-Estimates/Projections: Contents: A number of links to different types of population projections and current population subgroups. Demographic breakdown/ population: Projected populations, densities, growth; projected age groups for "young" (=yearly ages from 0-21), children, adults, white, non-white, male, female, white female. Certified county population estimates for 2001, revised county population estimates for 2000; 2000 populations by age for all, young, children, adults, male, female; some historical populations. Notes: Takes you to the NC State Demographics Home Page. URL: http://demog.state.nc.us/. Possibly more "accurate" than US Census. These are the state's "official" population estimates and projections.
• State Comparisons-All States: Contents: Provides comparisons of any states plus US, on a wide range of information. Demographic breakdown/ population: Varies. Political unit(s): State. Notes: Takes you to the "State Comparisons" part of LINC. URL: http://data.osbm.state.nc.us/pls/linc/dyn_linc_main.show?p_arg_names=module&p_arg_values=states. Select desired states, or US, for comparison, and click on "continue." Then select "topic group," such as "Vital Stats and Health" and as many stats as desired from menu at right. Then click on "continue." Select years for comparison. Click on "Report" for data.
• State Data Center-Directory Information: Notes: Takes you to the NC State Data Center home page.
• CRIS-Community Resource Info System: Contents: Provides information about grants and loans administered by North Carolina state agencies. Some technical assistance programs are also described. The Office of State Budget and Management is the coordinator of the CRIS project. For each program, gives purpose, description, how to apply, eligibility requirements, type of assistance, type of applicant, legal authority, funding source, fund code, and number of awards. Notes: Takes you to the CRIS home page. URL: http://cris.state.nc.us/. Click on "find a program." Select "by type of applicant," then "community-based organizations" to see 14 types of grants.
• NCGILS-NC Government Information Locator System: Notes: Click on "Find NC" to search for any information kept by the State of NC. Takes you to NCGILS homepage. URL: http://ncgils.state.nc.us/

Directions for reaching the following data:

On Home Page, see "All NC Data Services Public Web Sites." Click on "Start LINC" for guided access to data. Under "Geographic Type" select "State and counties." At right, select desired county or counties, and/or state (as many as you wish for comparison). Click on "continue."

• LINC: Contents: Access to virtually all NC data. Demographic breakdown/ population: Varies. Political unit(s): County and sometimes lower.Notes: Choose "topic group" such as "vital statistics and health," and specific data of interest at right. Click on "continue," and select the year or years of interest. Click on "report." Or enter a keyword, such as "accidents," or "infants to get a menu of data sets available.