LI Course
CE Hours: 6 contact hours

Partnership: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics

Statement of Purpose and Institute Overview: The purpose of this workshop is to facilitate the use of the wealth of data and resources from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). 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. Researchers, policymakers, public health practitioners, journalists, students and others rely upon these data to identify health problems, risk factors and disease patterns; plan and assess public health programs; and compare populations, providers and geographic areas. Participants will be introduced to the portfolio of NCHS data sets, including data collection methods, analytic considerations, data findings, and methods of data access. Examples will be presented on use of data from each of the major NCHS data systems, as well as how to use data from multiple sources, to help understand the population's health, influences on health, and health outcomes. Experts from each of the major NCHS program areas will contribute to the presentation, and participants will be encouraged to ask questions and seek guidance about their particular information needs.

Session Objectives: Upon successful completion of this educational activity, participants will be able to 1)identify major data systems of NCHS and describe data collection methods and survey content; 2) describe examples of analytic uses of data sets; 3)understand the complexities of data sets and assess appropriate statistical methods for analysis of data; and 4)identify how to access data and documentation from NCHS.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing