Health Informatics: Subject Guide: Data and Statistics

A compilation of information about all major data collection systems sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These surveys and data collection systems allow us to monitor and track the health of the population and the functioning of the health care system. The Guide is intended for policymakers, administrators, researchers, and the public as a reference document on data and statistical resources within HHS. Information includes health status and behaviors; health care access; resources, utilization and expenditures; insurance coverage and financing; functional status as well as social determinants of health and quality of care.

The National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology (NICHSR) at the National Library of Medicine seeks to improve "..the collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and dissemination of information on health services research, clinical practice guidelines, and on health care technology, including the assessment of such technology."

These modules will help you understand what health statistics measure and how to use them to improve general health, gain a basic knowledge of the statistical terms commonly used when reading about health statistics, learn different ways health information can be collected, and the pros and cons of each, become familiar with a variety of online sources for health statistics, and create a set of strategies to find specific health statistics.

A collaboration of U.S. government agencies, public health organizations, and health sciences libraries which provides timely, convenient access to selected public health resources on the Internet.

CDC Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) is a public resource. This application makes many health-related data sets available to CDC staff, public health departments, researchers, and others. The data help with public health research, decision making, priority setting, program evaluation, and resource allocation.

OASIS is a suite of interactive tools used to access the Georgia Department of Public Health's standardized health data repository. OASIS and the Repository are designed, built and maintained by the Office of Health Indicators for Planning (OHIP).

Toxicological Profiles (Tox Profiles) are a unique compilation of toxicological information on a given hazardous substance. Each peer-reviewed Tox Profile reflects a comprehensive and extensive evaluation, summary, and interpretation of available toxicological and epidemiological information on a substance. From the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The MMWR series is the CDC’s primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations.

A summary of the proceedings of the sixth workshop in the Learning Health System series. Via NLM' Bookshelf.

A short course from the National Library of Medicine on types of statistics and how to use them.

From the University of Chicago Library. Helps to understand how health and medical data is collected and what types of data are most commonly available.

A guide to understanding health statistics from UNC-Chapel Hill.