With the recent announcements about staff reductions at the US Department of Health and Human Services, I wanted to make sure I could still access reliable, up-to-date information about what’s happening with public health in our state. 

After some digging, I found two excellent resources from the Oregon Health Authority that are worth bookmarking if you care about Oregon’s health data:

  1. Oregon Public Health Division: Acute and Communicable Disease Dashboard

This interactive dashboard provides a comprehensive look at acute and communicable diseases across Oregon. Here’s what you’ll find:

  • Real-time data on reportable diseases, including case counts by county, age group, and time period.
  • Trends and comparisons so you can see how current outbreaks stack up against previous years.
  • Breakdowns by disease-from measles and pertussis to foodborne illnesses-so you can track what’s happening in your community.
  • Downloadable charts and maps for deeper dives or sharing with others.
  1. Monthly Report Dashboard: Aggregated Data

If you want a broader, month-by-month look at Oregon’s public health, this dashboard is for you:

  • Monthly summaries of communicable disease reports statewide.
  • Easy-to-read graphics showing trends over time, including spikes or declines in specific diseases.
  • County-level data for more localized insights.
  • Exportable reports for anyone who wants to dig deeper or use the data for research, advocacy, or community planning.

Bottom line:
Even as departments face staffing challenges, these dashboards make it easy for anyone to stay informed about public health trends in Oregon. Whether you’re a concerned parent, a health professional, or just curious, I highly recommend checking them out.