Forty-two indicators have been identified that show a positive correlation with risk factors measured through surveys. However, considerable work remained on validating the social indicators at the time this study was performed. Part of the scope of work during the first year was examining potential indicators and collecting those relevant to Montana.
Many indicators have very strong face validity and provide useful information to programs.
For example, if one of the goals of a program working with teens is to keep clients in school, then a measure of the school dropout rate could be used to indicate both the need for the program and, in subsequent years, whether or not the program was successful in meeting that goal. Using social indicators to establish risk profiles of areas or subgroups allows planners to allocate prevention resources to the areas or populations with the highest estimated risk. The benefits of collecting risk factor social indicators include data comparability, low cost, and ease of data collection. Comparisons of indicators of specific risk factors allow planners to identify and prioritize risk factors to be targeted with focused prevention efforts in identified geographical areas or population groups. Once specific data sources are identified, the yearly collection of data for risk monitoring simply requires a transfer of the relevant information from the reporting agency.