Federal Level Data Sources

Identify five sources of data available at the federal level. What is the importance of each data source in public health funding and surveillance? Describe the information/content that can be found in these data sources. Present an example of an industry that might find each of these data sources useful.

Five Federal Data Sources in Public Health

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data

Importance: The CDC provides vital statistics and health data that guide public health funding and policy decisions. This data supports surveillance of diseases, health behaviors, and risk factors, aiding in resource allocation and health interventions.

Content: The CDC’s databases include information on morbidity and mortality rates, immunization coverage, and disease outbreaks. They also provide national health surveys, such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Example of Industry Use: Public health agencies utilize CDC data to track infectious disease outbreaks and assess the effectiveness of vaccination programs. Hospitals and healthcare providers can also use this data to improve patient care strategies.

2. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Data

Importance: The NIH funds a significant amount of biomedical research and provides data critical for understanding health issues. This data supports public health research and informs funding priorities in health interventions and treatments.

Content: NIH databases include research findings, clinical trial data, and information on health disparities. The NIH RePORTER system provides access to information about NIH-funded research projects and their outcomes.

Example of Industry Use: Pharmaceutical companies can use NIH data to identify research gaps and areas for potential drug development, helping to align their research with public health needs.

3. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Data

Importance: HRSA provides data that informs funding decisions for health services and programs, particularly for underserved populations. This data helps in the distribution of resources and access to healthcare services.

Content: HRSA data includes information on health center locations, workforce statistics, and healthcare access metrics. The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) data provides insights into healthcare provider shortages.

Example of Industry Use: Community health organizations use HRSA data to secure funding for health services in rural and underserved areas, enabling them to tailor their services to meet local health needs.

4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Data

Importance: SAMHSA provides critical data on substance abuse and mental health that inform public health strategies and funding allocations for mental health services and substance use disorder treatment.

Content: SAMHSA’s data includes national surveys on drug use and mental health, treatment facility locators, and statistics on substance abuse treatment outcomes.

Example of Industry Use: Mental health clinics and addiction treatment centers utilize SAMHSA data to assess the prevalence of mental health and substance use issues in their communities, helping to tailor their services accordingly.

5. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Data

Importance: CMS data informs funding and policy decisions related to healthcare access, cost, and quality of care. This data is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of healthcare programs and their impact on public health outcomes.

Content: CMS databases include Medicare and Medicaid claims data, healthcare quality metrics, and information on healthcare provider performance. The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) provides insights into the health and economic status of beneficiaries.

Example of Industry Use: Health insurance companies and healthcare providers use CMS data to assess the effectiveness of their services, identify areas for improvement, and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). CDC data and statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/datastatistics/index.html

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Institutes of Health. (2021). NIH RePORTER: Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools. https://report.nih.gov/

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health Resources and Services Administration. (2021). HRSA Data Warehouse. https://data.hrsa.gov/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Data, Trends, and Reports.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). Data and research. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems

Federal Level Data Sources