The "Utah 64 Small Health Statistics Areas" feature layer was developed by the Office of Public Health Assessment, Utah Department of Health using small area analysis methodology in 1997. Each feature was generated by combining a sufficient number of adjacent ZIP code area features to form a geographic area of approximately 33,500 persons (range 15,000 to 62,500). Criteria used for determining which ZIP code areas to combine together to form a Small Health Statistics Area included population size, local health district and county boundaries, similarity of ZIP code population's income level and community political boundaries. Input from local community representatives was used to refine area designations. The Utah 64 Small Health Statistics Areas provide a means of geographically analyzing and presenting health statistics at the community level. Producing information at the small area in Utah provides community planners and other with information that is specific to the populations living in their communities of concern. Small area analysis also allows an investigator to explore ecologic relationships between health status, lifestyle, the environment and the health system. In areas where a ZIP code crosses a county boundary, the 2008 and 2009 versions of Small Statistical Areas honor the ZIP code boundary leading to cases where a Small Statistical Areas can be in multiple counties. The 2012 and 2014 versions correct this issue by splitting ZIP code areas by county boundaries resulting in Small Statistical Areas that can only be found in one county. In the 2017 version, area 57 Grand/San Juan Counties was split into 2 areas, area 57.1 Grand county and 57.2 San Juan County.