The federal government uses a variety of agencies and data sources to measure and monitor public health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the primary department responsible for these efforts. Within HHS, several key agencies collect and disseminate health statistics.
Key Federal Agencies and Their Data
| • | National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS): As the nation's principal health statistics agency, the NCHS is responsible for compiling and disseminating a wide range of data on the health of the U.S. population. Its data are used to monitor health trends, identify health problems, and guide public health policy. Key data systems include the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the National Vital Statistics System (for birth and death records), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). |
| • | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC collects, analyzes, and disseminates health data for disease prevention and public health emergencies. It manages various surveillance systems like the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). |
| • | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS manages data related to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which provides valuable information on healthcare costs, financing, and the use of services for a significant portion of the U.S. population. |
| • | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): AHRQ focuses on producing evidence to make healthcare safer, more accessible, and more effective. Its data and analytics, such as the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), help decision-makers understand how the healthcare system is working and identify areas for improvement. |
| • | U.S. Census Bureau: The Census Bureau collects data that is essential for health statistics, including information on demographics, disability, and health insurance coverage through surveys such as the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Current Population Survey (CPS). |
Types of Federal Health Data
Federal health statistics are collected from a variety of sources and measure different aspects of health, including:
| • | Health Status: Data on chronic conditions, acute illnesses, injuries, and disabilities. |
| • | Health Behaviors: Information on topics like smoking, physical activity, and diet. |
| • | Healthcare Access and Utilization: Statistics on health insurance coverage, use of medical services, and hospital discharges. |
| • | Mortality and Natality: Data on deaths, births, and life expectancy. |
| • | Healthcare Costs and Financing: Information on healthcare expenditures and sources of payment. |
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the primary federal agency focused on improving healthcare access for uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable populations. HRSA's data collection and analysis efforts are essential for its mission and are made publicly available through its HRSA Data Warehouse.
Overview of HRSA's statistical resources:
Key Data Focus Areas
| • | Health Workforce: HRSA provides data on the supply, demand, and distribution of healthcare workers. This includes information on different occupations, such as nurses and physicians, and the identification of Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). |
| • | Health Centers: Through the Uniform Data System (UDS), HRSA collects data on patient characteristics, services provided, and health outcomes from health centers that receive federal funding. |
| • | Rural Health: The agency provides data files and tools, such as the Area Health Resources Files (AHRF), to help identify and analyze rural areas and their health-related characteristics. |
| • | Grants: HRSA provides data on the grants it awards, including information on recipients, program areas, and geographic distribution. |
| • | Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: This program collects data on clinical outcomes and service provision for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. |
Data Access Tools
| • | HRSA Data Warehouse: This is the central hub for HRSA's publicly available data. It features various tools and dashboards. |
| • | Data Explorer: A tool that allows users to create custom reports by querying, filtering, and exporting data. |
| • | Dashboards: Interactive visualizations that provide insights into specific HRSA programs and topics, such as workforce projections, health workforce demographics, and health center patient characteristics. |
| • | Mapping Tools: Interactive maps that allow users to visualize HRSA data layers, including health sites and shortage areas. |
| • | Data Downloads: Provides downloadable files in various formats, such as CSV and Excel, for more detailed analysis. |
