1. Use postal code identifiers that can be linked to census public use tapes. ‘Meaningful’ varies depending on purpose of analyses.

2. This data include number of area residents and their age and sex characteristics. Use most recent census information or population registries.

3. As a first step, census data can be used to develop indicators such as mean household income, unemployment rates, education level, and cultural diversity.

4. Use various sources: all-cause, cause-specific, and premature mortality rates from Vital Statistics files.

5. Obtain this information regardless of where care takes place: hospital use, use of nursing homes, use of physician services, home care, etc.