The Community Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation (CAPE) Unit conducts data analysis and evaluation for the Alameda County Health, Public Health Department (ACPHD) as well as for policymakers, partner organizations, and Alameda County residents. CAPE centers on health equity in analyses and evaluations, working to learn from and partner with community organizations representing populations most affected by health inequities.
CAPE analyzes data to describe population health status, trends, and inequities. We have a strong commitment to describing structural drivers of health inequities and using data to inform action. Our recent report on changes in mortality from 2018-2019 to 2020-2021 describes how historical and modern-day policies drove the stark inequities of the COVID-19 pandemic — and how policies and programs to reduce inequities can make a difference. Similarly, CAPE’s analyses of birth data highlight how structural inequities drive inequities in outcomes for pregnant people and infants.
These recent reports build on a rich history of describing structural drivers of health inequities through reports such as “Economic Inequality: A Growing Threat to Public Health,” “Development without Displacement,” and the seminal 2010 report “Life and Death from Unnatural Causes: Health and Social Inequity in Alameda County.” CAPE partners with Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless to produce a Homeless Mortality Report that is a state and national model, as highlighted in local media. CAPE is increasingly developing data dashboards to provide real-time information on topics such as homeless mortality, overdoses, and COVID-19.
Evaluation
CAPE takes a collaborative approach to evaluation, emphasizing shared ownership and skills-building. The CAPE team conducts evaluations by consulting with community and program staff to assess needs, plan robust research designs, collect data, conduct analyses, and report findings. The CAPE team uses a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, including analyses of secondary data, developing and fielding surveys, conducting focus groups and key informant interviews, and systematically reviewing program documents. In addition, the CAPE team facilitates Alameda County Health’s participation in national, grant-funded evaluations sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and other funders. Recent evaluations highlight opportunities to improve equitable access to digital resources for older adults and to improve COVID-19 vaccine equity.
In addition to producing reports and analyses on health outcomes, CAPE provides reports on best practices in assessing population health and equity, such as the “Measures of Mortality” report. Recognizing the importance of having complete data on racial and ethnic disparities, CAPE undertook the “Every Baby Counts” initiative to increase the completeness of race and ethnicity information in birth data. This work exemplifies CAPE’s commitment to continuous improvement in our work to improve population health and health equity.
Contact Us
Community Assessment, Planning, & Evaluation
CAPE Director: Julia Raifman
1100 San Leandro Blvd.
San Leandro, CA 94577 Suite 400