LI Course
CE Hours: 6 contact hours

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

Statement of Purpose and Institute Overview: The purpose of this Institute is to facilitate the use of the wealth of data and resources of 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 popoulations, providers, and geographic areas. Participants will be introduced to the portfolio of NCHS data sets, including those of the National Vital Statistics System, National Health Interview Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, National Survey of Family Growth, and National Health Care Surveys. Data collection methods, analytic considerations, and methods of data access will be discussed. Examples of how NCHS data have been used to understand the population's health, influences on health, health outcomes, and health care access and use will be presented. 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 on their particular information needs.

Session Objectives: 1. List one example of the type of data collected from each of the major NCHS data systems. 2. Describe three ways that NCHS makes information available to data users. 3. Identify two examples of NCHS data access tools.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)