Information Sheet
May 2008
NCHS Overview
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Overview
Health Topics Addressed by NCHS
NCHS Data Sources
Overview
The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) is the nation's
principal health statistics agency, providing data to identify and address
health issues. NCHS compiles statistical information to help guide public health
and health policy decisions. These health statistics allow us to:
- Document the health status of the U.S. population and selected
subgroups.
- Identify disparities in health status and use of health care by
race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, region, and other population
characteristics.
- Document access to and use of the health care system.
- Monitor trends in health status, associated risk factors and health care
delivery.
- Support biomedical and health services research.
- Provide data to support public policies and programs.
- Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of health policies and programs.
Health Topics Addressed by NCHS
NCHS produces data on a wide range of health indicators such as:
- Health insurance coverage and its relationship to access and utilization
of health care services.
- Prevalence of health conditions such as obesity and overweight,
cholesterol, hypertension, HIV status, and smoking among the U.S.
population.
- Exposure to environmental chemicals.
- Patterns and relationships of risk factors to specific diseases and
populations.
- Nutrition and physical activity.
- Growth charts to monitor the development of children.
- Patient safety and quality including adverse effects of medical
treatment.
- Injuries and disabilities and their impact on health status and
functioning.
- Infant mortality, life expectancy, and teen births.
- Leading causes of death specific to age, race, ethnic and gender groups.
- Emergency department use and capacity to measure terrorism preparedness.
- Practice of medicine in the U.S.; the increasing use of prescription
drugs, evolution of health information technology, roles and practices of
health care providers, and changes in the health care delivery system.
NCHS Data Sources
Collaborating with other public and private health partners, NCHS employs a
variety of data collection mechanisms to obtain accurate information from
multiple sources. This process provides a broad perspective to help us
understand the population's health, influences on health, and health outcomes.
Sources of data collection include:
- Birth and death certificates
- Medical records
- Personal interviews
- Standardized physical and dental examinations
- Laboratory tests
For further information about NCHS and its programs, visit us at
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs, or call the Office of Planning, Budget and
Legislation at 301-458-4100.
Page Last Modified:
October 15, 2008