Chapman, J. M. (Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, U.S.A.), and Coulson, A. Community Diagnosis: an analysis of indicators of health and disease in a metropolitan area. Int. J. Epid. 1972,1 : 75–81. Population, mortality and hospitalization information has been assembled to describe patterns of health and disease among 142 Los Angeles communities. Total county rates for a municipality of this size mask the wide variations in disease experience among different population subgroups. Differences in infant mortality, total deaths, and mortality from cancer, ischemic heart disease, stroke and accidents are presented according to the geographic location, ethnic composition and economic characteristics of the constituent communities. Comparison of hospitalization with these indicators is explored.