For this document, the Healthy DuPage Board of Directors selected those indicators that help us to keep our tapestry vibrant and alive. Some indicators show us where we are; others show us the direction in which we seem to be going. Indicators such as household income levels or low birth rates are directly quantifiable. Other indicators, such as assessments of mental health, or alcohol use by teen-agers, may depend on surveys and other indirect measures or less quantifiable information. For some indicators, data are not available or are not currently collected.

In studying the statistical data in the indicators, there is a tendency to focus on the details and initiate changes that do not improve the whole picture, that miss the story. Yet without the detail, we cannot understand current health factors. Or, blinded by the story, we miss the details that enable us to make efficient changes. This document both embroiders the statistical detail for each indicator and weaves a picture that provides the connections between them. It requires moving back and forth between the detail and the story.

The Indicator Task Force accepted the charge of designing an approach that would turn selected indicators into a functional tool. The result is this document, designed to provide community residents with countywide information in their quest to better the health of their community. It is, however, a first attempt, a tapestry on which we will continue to work. Data are constantly changing and each year we hope to add more threads, to embroider on the knowledge we have gained with this first effort. We invite your critiques and your suggestions for improvements in future versions.

A meaningful and useful indicator usually reflects a combination of idealism (what we would like to measure) and pragmatism (what we are able to measure). Good indicators share the following characteristics:

1. Both experts and non-experts easily understand them.

2. They show information considered important by diverse groups.

3. Some provide a guide toward the desired quality of life with a clear direction that reflects progress.

4. Some show position on a scale and promote community dialogue on matters about which there is disagreement.

5. Some point toward actions under individual control, while others point toward community decision-making.

6. They provide a basis for evaluating equity in the distribution of quality-of-life benefits.

7. Data for most indicators are readily and affordably available from a credible source. If data are not currently available, methods exist for obtaining data in the future.

Within each of the nine indicator sets are individual indicators that describe the health of DuPage County. Each indicator has four sections: About the Indicator, Observations, Tapestry and How to get involved or to learn more. Each indicator set begins with a Community Commentary by a Sector Expert.

About this Indicator: This section provides the reader with the background information needed to understand the statistics—how they were collected, explanations of terms used, sources, statistically significant problems with the data, and why particular data were or were not used.

Observations: Each indicator includes some discussion of the data as they relate to our shared vision of a Healthy DuPage. We have defined the data for these indicators with the help of experts in the community. However, much of the analysis on a county-by-county basis are not regularly collected and in many cases has not yet been released. We will continue to search and discover the best data to define an indicator in succeeding publications.

Tapestry: This section leads the discussion back to causes, reasons for trends, and connections to other indicators. By the nature of statistics, we tend to find ourselves focusing on the details, or threads, of the facts at hand. However, this tapestry discussion reminds us that data, no matter how well conceived in their collection, must be looked at within the whole tapestry of DuPage County. These connections are only implied. In subsequent versions, this section should contain more detail.

Community Commentary: Each indicator set begins with the thoughts of Content Experts for each sector. He or she addresses those issues that are most illuminating when looking at our tapestry of a healthy community.

How to get Involved or to Learn More: The Tapestry publication is intended to stimulate meaningful dialogue and lead to civic action. Each indicator ends with a section that lists sources for additional information on the issue as well as contact information for various organizations working to create positive change throughout DuPage County. This list is not meant to be exhaustive and will expand with future publications.