Key Resources for Health Indicators & Statistics
- CDC WonderWide-ranging OnLine Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) -- provides access to a wide array of public health information.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data CatalogThe CDC is the primary health institute of the United States. In addition to focusing on infectious diseases and food borne pathogens, the CDC collects data on a wide variety of topics, such as: obesity, diabetes, child health and exercise.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)Use the Data Navigator tool to find raw data and statistics on Medicare and Medicaid services and lots of other health related topics. The data may be available at the County, Hospital Referral Region and State levels.
- County Health RankingsThe County Health Rankings provide a snapshot of a community’s health and a starting point for investigating and discussing ways to improve health.
- FastStats!National Center for Health Statistics index of selected statistics on a variety of health topics. (CDC)
- National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)The NCHS is the statistical agency within the CDC. This page contains links to the surveys conducted by the CDC and other types of data collected by the agency.
- State Health FactsState Health Facts provides up-to-date, and easy-to-use health data for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the United States, counties, territories, and other geographies. Data available on State Health Facts come from a wide variety of public and private sources.
- The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) regularly collects nationally representative data about the American public’s knowledge of, attitudes toward, and use of cancer- and health-related information.
Recommended Datasets
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)BRFSS surveys ask about behavioral risk factors among adults. Questions included sexual practices, drinking frequency, drug usage, health care access, etc.
- Health and Retirement StudyThe Health and Retirement Study is a longitudinal study of American health, retirement and aging. . The study has data on: income, work, assets, pension plans, health insurance, disability, physical health and functioning, cognitive functioning and health care expenditures.
- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical examinations.
- National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)The NHIS is the principle source of information on the health of the U.S. population. It contains a lot of demographic information as well data about health conditions.
- National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health)Add Health is a panel data study of American 7-12th graders during the 1994-1995 school year. It focused on social factors that influenced their health. The Add Health cohort was interviewed again in young adulthood, the most recent in 2008.
- National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG)The National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) gathers information on family life, marriage and divorce, pregnancy, infertility, use of contraception, and men's and women's health.
- Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)The YRBSS asks about behaviors that can result in accidents, sexual behaviors, alcohol and drug use, tobacco use, dietary behaviors and physical activity levels.