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United States National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health
Importance
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Health Statistics provide key indicators that help us know about the conditions of life in a country. They are important to understanding not only individual health, but also the health of a whole nation.

Measures of Progress
Health Statistics provide measures of progress for
  • The world [See this United Nations Website.]
  • A nation or
  • A particular population.

They help us understand the impact of health on people and work for their betterment. As we monitor the health of a population, we enhance our understanding of strategies to promote its health.

Health statistics form an important element in several kinds of efforts to promote a healthier population.

Measuring Group Progress and Disparities
Because many health indicators are population based, they can help us understand the distribution of health conditions, diagnoses and procedures and thereby gauge disparities among population groups.
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Last reviewed: 03 January 2008
Last updated: 03 January 2008
First published: 03 January 2008
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