Health Statistics
- A numerical summary of data computed on samples
- Characterize the health of a population and the influences that affect health
- Parameters are values that describes a characteristic of a population
- Often collected and analyzed over a specific period
- Collected to meet needs of the collector
- Provide information about the health of a population and what influences it
- Monitor health status and risk factors
- Guide research, policy, and program development
- Evaluate research, policy and program effectiveness
- Formulate the question
- Choose the best resource
- Evaluate the results
- Repeat as necessary
Health Statistics
Use this table to assist you in locating health statistics from the sources provided below:
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National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)Contains current data from surveys such as the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), birth and mortality detail files, National Immunization Survey, Longitudinal Study of Aging, and National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG)
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MedlinePlusNational Library of Medicine’s consumer health portal. Information on diseases and conditions, wellness issues, drugs and supplements, and medical tests. Sourced from over 500 vetted organizations. Health Topic pages can be used to quickly access statistics on a particular topic
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CDC - BRFSS - Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance SystemThe Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the nation’s premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services.
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State Health FactsProduced by the Kaiser Family Foundation and provides data at the national and state level. Has over 800 health indicators including: demographics and economy, women’s health, minority health, and health insurance.
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Global Health Observatory (GHO)The World Health Organization's (WHO) gateway to health-related statistics for more than 1000 indicators for its 194 member states.
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U.S. Census BureauFederal government’s largest statistical agency. Provides facts and figures about America’s people, places, and economy. Levels include state, county, city, town, zip code, census tract, congressional district, tribal areas. Other surveys available include: American Community Survey, Current Population Survey, Survey of Income and Program Participation.
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County Health Rankings & RoadmapsProduced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin
Population Health Institute. Annual rankings provide a snapshot of a community’s health. Statistics at the county level on factors such as: quality of life, health behavior, social and economic factors, and physical environment. -
City Health DashboardProduced by the non-profit National Resource Network in partnership with the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone Health and the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service at NYU, 2017-present. Search, browse and compare data on 900+ cities in the U.S. Data at the city, zip code, and census tract levels. Measures align with County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.
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Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub)National clearinghouse on rural health issues funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Health statistics of interest to those living in or working in rural areas. Statistics for metro and non-metro counties on: demographics, health disparities, social determinants, and access to services.