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 rate 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.