The OWH Women's and Minority Health Status Indicators Database has been designed for a broad range of individuals -- from those with little experience in data processing systems to advanced analysts. The system enables users to select from among the roughly 7,000 variables and 3,500 geographic jurisdictions by following a three-step process, as follows:

Step One - By clicking on the link indicated on the bottom of the Home screen or the Start System button on the left of the screen, the user is taken to a screen displaying all of the categories of data in the database. The user is asked to select the category of data of interest, and then the specific variables of interest. The user may select as many categories of data and specific data variables as desired at one time. Data variables are selected from the drop down menus by highlighting the variable and then clicking on the green Add button.

Upon completing the selection of variables, the user is asked to click on the second tab -- Select Geographies (from the top of the screen).

Step Two - On the second screen, the user is asked to identify the geographic units for which the data variables selected above will be displayed. The user is presented with a series of shortcuts to ease the selection process. The user can select individual counties, by clicking on By Geography, individual states by clicking on By States, and regional variables by clicking on By Region. Or, the user can check the boxes below the selection window to obtain the data variables selected for all counties in the nation, all states in the nation, all regions in the nation, or a national value.

Upon completing the geographic selection, the user is asked to click on the third tab -- Generate Report (from the top of the screen).

Step Three - On the third screen, the user is presented with a tabulation of the variables selected (in Step 1) by the geographic areas selected (in Step 2). In the upper left hand of the screen, the user can select a graphical presentation of the variables by clicking on View Chart to obtain a bar chart displaying the data. The user can also obtain a map of the data by clicking on View GIS Map. Finally, the user can export the variables for use with other software by choosing from 'Select a format,' highlighting the format desired, and then clicking on 'Export.'