Consider collecting data that involves photography, interviews, videoclips, observations, and community audits. You may find alternative data from different data sources such as partner organizations or from research done outside the public health/medical field that provides important insight into the issue you are searching, such as sociology, anthropology, planning, etc.

As you collect data, consider the different populations (and sub-groups) in your community and how you are collecting data on each. These populations and subgroups maybe impacted by health issues differently. You may need to delve further into the data to better understand which sub-group is at most risk (or being impacted by the health issue) by race/ethnicity, immigration status, gender, age, and more.  

For example, after collecting data on diabetes in your community, you find that Latinos have a higher incidence and prevalence of diabetes. Therefore, want to understand which Latino groups are most impacted by diabetes.  You would want to collect and compare data on recent immigrants to Chicanos who have been in the U.S. for many generations.  This information may be different than collecting and reviewing data on diabetes and gender differences among Latino women and men, or diabetes incidence among Latino kids, families, and working adults, or diabetes incidence or prevalence among Latino LGBTQ or straight.

Recommended data collection techniques include the collection of both quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (words) data. You may wish to gather data already collected (secondary) and new data (primary).  It is important to collect data with community member input to improve knowledge and awareness regarding different health issues in the community and increase credibility.

An ideal assessment includes information on risk factors, quality of life, mortality, morbidity, community assets, activities (internal or external to the community) that may produce changes in health, social determinants of health and health inequity, and information on how well the public health system provides essential services.

Note: When collecting data, it is important to consider that there may be alternative ways to collect data. Some cultures utilize written stories or oral histories or shared cultural definitions to catalog their experiences and values. It is important to respect and respond to different methods of sharing information.