Download Death Rates in 5 selected counties compared to

Death Rates in 5 selected Colorado
counties compared to the mean U.S
rates
The Provided Graphic shows the statistical comparisons
between counties : Larimer, Denver, Teller, Pueblo, Costilla,
and the U.S Mean Rates, Specifically in reference to total
deaths by population, Homicides, accidental death cause
by firearm, caused by alcohol, and drowning.
Brenton Downey
Data Sources
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Colorado Department of health and Environment
United States Center for Disease Control
2010 U.S National Census
Division of Vital Statistics
Colorado.gov (and subsidiaries)
The above sources were used to gather base raw data such as: the populations of
the selected counties, the numbers of deaths in each county for the selected year
of 2013, number of deaths based on specific causes for each county, number of
deaths in U.S caused by drowning, drowning risk assessments for Colorado, and
number of counties in the U.S.
Brenton Downey
Data Analysis
Using the afore mentioned data and simple math I was able to create the above data chart in
order to organize and analyze the data I had gathered. I used the five counties as a data
sample to estimate the U.S mean for each cause of death. This was done by getting a set of
descriptive statistics on each set of data then, by using a 95% confidence interval, I was able to
calculate an estimate for the average county and U.S means. My confidence interval was than
compared to two separate base data calculations of the average and U.S county rates, acquired
in my data research, in order to validate the accuracy of my estimates. Each estimate fell
within a reasonable distance from the data gathered so I moved forward. I was then able to
determine whether each selected county had a higher risk of death than the average U.S
county by simply calculating Z scores and the probability of a random U.S county being
selected being below each of the 5 selected counties. The last calculation was using a
hypothesis test to determine whether the risk of death In Colorado is significantly different
then for the entire U.S
Brenton Downey
Findings
* All data is on average a per year basis.
Brenton Downey