Success StoryData Help in Understanding Groups at Risk for COVID-19



Data Help in Understanding Groups at Risk for COVID-19

Author: Julie N. Zimmerman

Planning Unit: Community & Leadership Development

Major Program: Community Analysis

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Kentucky was reported on March 6th in Harrison County.  At that moment, Kentucky became part of the global health pandemic from the new coronavirus.  As cases increased exponentially worldwide, early information about the virus was limited.  Despite this, it was clear that certain groups were at increased risk for severe illness and that these groups were not evenly distributed across the state.


In response, with Dr. Amy Kotelic in Family and Consumer Sciences and Cameron McAlister, we developed the “COVID-19 At Risk” issue of the Kentucky: By The Numbers data series which provided each county in the state with data on groups who are at higher risk of experiencing severe illness including older adults, people of any age who have underlying medical conditions, and race/ethnicity distributions of each county’s population.  A separate issue with state-level data was also created and since county level data were not available for every underlying condition, the reverse side provided a summary of the CDC’s guidance regarding people at higher risk for severe illness.   


After releasing the “COVID-19 At Risk” issue of Kentucky: By The Numbers, I presented the results and analysis of the data in an inservice webinar which was attended by 90 Extension agents from all across the state.  In addition to the Kentucky: By The Numbers website, access to the data was also placed on the College’s Coronavirus webpage under Community Resources as well as the internal Extension Coronavirus Resources website under Community and Economic Development.  These data have been used locally across the state and in at least one instance, a local newspaper published the county’s data in its entirety.  







Stories by Julie N. Zimmerman


Using Data to Plan for the Future

about 2 years ago by Julie N. Zimmerman

How do communities plan for the future? One way is through comprehensive plans. These plans provide ... Read More


Supporting the STO Master’s Degree

about 2 years ago by Julie N. Zimmerman

With the increasing role of the digital spaces as the place where people obtain their information, i... Read More


Stories by Community & Leadership Development


Conflict Resolution as Extension Learning Tool

about 2 years ago by Ronald Hustedde

Conflict is an inevitable part of Extension-related programming. Groups may be divided by priorities... Read More


Finding Common Ground Among Extension-Related Groups In Conflict

about 2 years ago by Ronald Hustedde

The Extension specialist served as a facilitator and mediator with another UK faculty member to addr... Read More