The answers to such questions can be helpful in discussing what research, planning and action are necessary to improve the well-being of the young people in your county. Understanding the indicators used in the data book is an important preliminary step to interpreting the data. Understand what is being measured and how the information is presented. Some figures represent actual numbers while others are given as rates or percentages. Rates and percentages permit you to make comparisons from one group or county to another, or for different years in the same group or county.
Counties vary greatly in size and composition.
What may be a fairly regular event in one county may be a very rare event in another. There may also be greater variation from year to year in some counties than in others. In general, the smaller the county, the smaller number of some events can be expected to occur. The most important task is to look at longer term trends to see if progress toward improving the well-being of your county's children is being made. Look at patterns among indicators in your county.