The California Adolescent Health Data Set is a collection of California-wide and county-specific data about the health status of adolescents. Data for each variable was extracted and compiled from public access databases, including vital and hospital records, administrative data, and statewide surveys. Some of the primary sources were the California Department of Finance, California Department of Public Health, California Department of Education, California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), and California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS). The raw data from these sources were collected and calculated in different ways. Data may be derived from population surveys (e.g., demographic numbers from the Census), medical records (e.g., injury data from hospital records), or representative sample surveys (e.g., measures of risk behaviors).

To be included, data had to be available at the county level, collected over time and available for individuals within the age range of 10-24. In addition, data on each indicator had to provide a statistically stable population level estimate. For example, there may not be a sufficient number of survey respondents to calculate an accurate measure for the adolescent population in counties with small populations. In such cases, counties are grouped together. Where applicable, 95% confidence intervals are included for data points. The confidence intervals take into account error in measurement to provide a statistically accurate estimate of the possible range of values for a specific indicator.

Adolescent health providers and professionals need data to inform their work, but data on adolescent health can be difficult or time consuming to retrieve. Therefore, the California Adolescent Health Data Set is designed to be accessible, practical, and easy to use for health department staff, providers, policy makers, community leaders, educators, and advocates. The California Adolescent Health Data Set is a resource for education, assessment and evaluation, program development or implementation, and advocacy.