Module One : Web Work

Your Web Work assignment for Module One is to obtain a CDC Wonder account and explore the Wonder system for potentially useful data.

CDC Wonder is a way you can access national data on a variety of topics over the Internet. CDC Wonder can be used to examine birth statistics, death statistics, and census data at the local, state and national levels.

CDC Wonder

(http://wonder.cdc.gov)

What is Wonder?

Wonder is a web-based, menu-driven, information retrieval system designed by the CDC to allow users everywhere to easily access public health publications and numeric data sets. Though Wonder encompasses many functions (participatory discussion groups, access to back issues of the MMWR, search for CDC staff email addresses) its main role is to permit users to download US census and public health data. The CDC's philosophy holds that wider access to health related data allows more intelligent and evidence-based decision-making.

What kinds of data are available to me, where do they come from, and what years are available?

Summaries of these data sets and others are available through the CDC Wonder website. As it may sometimes take a year or two to collect, compile, verify, and publish new health data the most recent data available through Wonder will likely be from 1999. Some Wonder data sets extend back to the 1970s.

How do I access Wonder?

There are two ways for users to gain access to CDC Wonder: account login or anonymous login. Essentially both methods allow you access to the full repertoire of online CDC public-use datasets. The advantages of establishing a user account with Wonder are that it enables you to (a) retrieve past searches, (b) be listed in the CDC's email directory, (c) receive search results by email, and (d) prevent being "timed-out" of the system if there are long delays between queries. For these reasons, and because you will likely be returning to CDC Wonder in the future, it is advisable that you establish a user account.

Before you attempt to access CDC Wonder please be aware of the following:

- You must have an internet browser which supports JavaScripting such as Netscape 3.0 (or better) or MS Internet Explorer 3.02 (or better). If you have an older browser, do not have Javascripting activated in your browser's Internet preferences, or are behind a network firewall you will need to use the non-java version of CDC Wonder. (Non-Java Wonder)

- Your browser must be set to accept "cookies". In order to identify you and retrieve previous searches a digital file, called a "cookie", must be placed on your computer by the CDC.

• Click Here to learn more about CDC Wonder and to set up your own CDC Wonder Account
  (or go to wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/help/main.html)