Childhood Cancer In VA

Using CDC Wonder databases: write about Childhood cancer in VA. what you learned from the data, and how aggregate population data impacts nursing practice.

Full Answer Section

     
  • Years: You can choose a specific year range or all available data (1999-2019).
  • Data Options: The Wonder system allows you to explore various data aspects like: * Case counts: This shows the raw number of childhood cancer cases reported in Virginia during the selected timeframe. * Rates: You can look at crude or age-adjusted incidence rates. These rates provide a clearer picture of how often childhood cancer occurs in the Virginia population relative to its age distribution.
Learning from the Data: By analyzing the data, you can learn:
  • The most common types of childhood cancers diagnosed in Virginia.
  • Trends in childhood cancer incidence over time (increasing, decreasing, or stable).
  • Whether there are any geographic disparities within Virginia regarding childhood cancer rates.
Impact of Aggregate Population Data on Nursing Practice: Aggregate population data, like that from CDC Wonder, informs nursing practice in several ways:
  • Needs Assessment: By understanding the prevalence of childhood cancer in Virginia, nurses can advocate for increased resources for pediatric oncology care, support groups, and educational programs for families.
  • Culturally Competent Care: If the data reveals racial or ethnic disparities in childhood cancer rates, nurses can focus on providing culturally competent care that addresses the unique needs of these populations.
  • Early Detection: Knowing the most common childhood cancers can help nurses educate parents and caregivers about warning signs and the importance of early detection.
  • Advocacy: Nurses can use data on childhood cancer to advocate for policies that promote childhood cancer research, prevention efforts, and access to quality healthcare for all children in Virginia.
Limitations: It's important to remember that aggregate data doesn't provide details on individual cases. However, it serves as a valuable starting point for understanding  

Sample Answer

   

Childhood Cancer in Virginia using CDC Wonder

Finding the Data:

The CDC Wonder database (https://wonder.cdc.gov/) is an excellent resource to explore childhood cancer data in Virginia. Here's how to access it:

  1. Go to the CDC Wonder website (https://wonder.cdc.gov/).
  2. Click on "Cancer Incidence" under "CDC Programs." (https://wonder.cdc.gov/cancer.html)
  3. Select "United States Cancer Statistics (USCS)" from the options.

Understanding the Data:

  • Age Groups: Since you're interested in childhood cancer, you'll want to filter the age group to pediatrics (usually 0-19 years old).

  • Location: Select Virginia as the state of interest.