Making Data Relatable:
Telling the Story Behind the Numbers
Agenda
● Welcome and Introductions
● Background and Overview
● Psych 101
● Telling your story
● Closing
Today’s Goal
Increase your confidence to talk about the Healthy Kids
Colorado Survey clearly and concisely.
It’s not about being an expert.
It’s about connecting the dots between youth health data and the real
life impact it has on the lives of young people in Colorado.
What is the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS)?
CO’s only comprehensive survey on the health
and well-being of students in Colorado.
The purpose of the HKCS is to better understand
youth health and what factors support youth to
make healthy choices.
HKCS is aligned with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Youth Risk
Behavior Survey (YRBS) and has been
conducted on a two-year cycle in CO since 1991.
History of the Healthy Kids
Colorado Survey (HKCS)?
•Colorado’s version of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s (CDC’s) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).
•It has been conducted on a two-year cycle in CO since 1991.
•In 2013, the sample size of the survey increased significantly
compared to previous years.
•This large sample size provides the state with a more precise picture
of youth health in Colorado.
• Determine prevalence.
• Assess trends over time.
• Examine the co-occurrence of health behaviors.
YRBS:
• Provide comparable national, state, territorial, tribal,
and local data.
• Provide comparable data among subpopulations of
youth.
Developed in 1990 to monitor
priority health risk behaviors that
contribute to the leading causes
of death, disability, and social
problems among young people in
the US.
Survey Topics
HKCS Partners
Advisory Committee: multi-disciplinary group that includes 40+ school/district
staff, local public health, and community partners.
HKCS Methodology
● Cross-sectional design conducted in public middle and high schools in
CO.
● Two-Stage Cluster Sample
■
Stage 1: schools are selected with probability proportional to
school enrollment size
■ Stage 2: classrooms are randomly selected in each chosen
school
●Conducted in the fall of odd years.
● Voluntary and self-reported.
● Paper/pencil survey (available in English and Spanish).
■ 2 HS survey modules/1 MS survey module
The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
is completely voluntary.
Superintendent
Principal
Parent
Student
Did you know…
Research shows that young people
respond just as credibly as adults on
anonymous and confidential health
surveys.
However, there are thorough checks
to omit the very small percentage of
young people who falsify their
answers.
Shifting gears
What are some common
reactions to HKCS that you
have heard?
Common Misconceptions
● Questions are too intrusive
● Taking away from learning time
● Anonymity of questions
● The “sex” survey
● Methodology confusion/questions
● “Kids” lie on surveys
What happens when someone becomes
reactionary?
● Amygdala becomes activated
● Understanding and persuasion is limited.
What’s Causing this Reaction?
● People have a difficult time relating to data because it’s
typically presented as numbers on a page.
● Most people don’t think about why data is collected and
how it is used to inform programs, policy, etc.
● Trying to understand something as complex as the
methodology of a large scale health survey can cause
discomfort, anxiety, and confusion.
● Without specific experience with HKCS or something
similar, it’s hard to understand the significance.
Meeting people where they are...
● When we can’t relate or feel connected to a person or
concept, it breaks down our ability to have empathy or
understanding for what they are telling us.
○ Data can be confusing.
○ Data can feel impersonal and unrelatable.
○ Data and surveillance are complex.
○ Statistics alone do not change hearts and minds.
Begin with Shared Values
● Youth health is important.
○ We all want young people to live happy and healthy lives.
● Walk a Mile in their Shoes
○ “I don’t know what’s that like being young nowadays but the
data gives us a snapshot of their experiences”
● Fairness
○ Everyone deserves a fair shot or chance for good health and this
data tells us where we have opportunities for improvement.
● Listen and Ask Questions
○ Sometimes people just want to feel heard.
Building the case for personal connection
● Decrease anxiety and confusion
○ Don’t use jargon or assume the data tells it’s own
story.
○ Acknowledge that it’s confusing and complex.
○ Ask questions.
● Increase capacity for understanding and empathy
○ Personalize your connection to the survey and data.
● Increase capacity for support
○ Find their personal connection.
Tell a story
Stories are a uniquely powerful way to shape attitudes and
beliefs.
● The right stories elicit empathy and positive emotions.
● They help make sense of complex concepts.
● Familiar plots and relatable characters calm the
amygdala.
What’s your story?
Why do you care
about youth
health?
Framing your Story
● Who are you?
● Why are you passionate about youth health/HKCS?
● What’s your personal connection?
● What other facts or experiences do you know?
● Make a connection
As a….
I believe….
In Fact/According to HKCS…
What do you think/feel about...
Example
"As a parent of a two teens, I believe that our children should
have opportunities to be happy, active, and healthy. While
I try my best to provide this for my children, I know it's not
true for all their classmates. In fact, the HKCS shows that
students of color in our community are more likely to
experience food insecurity than their White peers. I don't
think any child should have to worry about their next meal
and this data helps us understand how to best serve all the
youth in our community."
Example
"As a middle school teacher, I believe all students should feel
safe in school because it impacts their ability to learn.
However, our HKCS results tell us that some students don't
feel safe at our school. HKCS helps us find ways we can
support them like the importance of being a teacher they
can go to when they need help."
Practice!
1.Fill out your worksheet
2.Split into pairs and take turns telling your story.
3.Provide constructive feedback.
4.Share infront of the whole group.
5.Go out and share with the world!
Website: www.healthykidscolo.org
E-mail: [email protected]