National Center for Health Statistics

National Center for Health Statistics. It is the principal health statistics agency for the United States, operating under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1960, it is tasked with compiling accurate, relevant, and timely statistical information to guide actions and policies that improve the nation's health. Its data collection efforts and analyses provide a critical evidence base for public health research, healthcare planning, and governmental decision-making at federal, state, and local levels.

History and mission

The agency was formed through the merger of the National Office of Vital Statistics and the National Health Survey, consolidating federal health data activities under a single authority. Its creation was driven by a growing recognition of the need for systematic, national-level data to understand and address complex health challenges. The core mission is to provide statistical information that will guide actions and policies to improve the health of the American people. This involves collecting data on births and deaths, disease prevalence, health behaviors, healthcare access, and the functioning of the healthcare system in the United States.

Organizational structure

The agency is headquartered in Hyattsville, Maryland, and is led by a director who reports to the leadership of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its work is organized into several key divisions focusing on different data domains. These include the Division of Vital Statistics, which manages the National Vital Statistics System, and the Division of Health Interview Statistics, which oversees the National Health Interview Survey. Other divisions are dedicated to health examination surveys, health care statistics, and research methodology. It collaborates extensively with other HHS agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Key data collection programs

Its data collection relies on a combination of survey systems, administrative records, and partnership networks. The National Health Interview Survey is a major continuous, cross-sectional household interview survey. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collects both interview data and physical examinations in mobile centers. The National Vital Statistics System is a state-federal cooperative that gathers data from every birth certificate and death certificate filed in the country. Other critical programs include the National Survey of Family Growth, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and the National Hospital Care Survey.

Major publications and data systems

It disseminates data through numerous flagship publications and online data systems. Key annual reports include *Health, United States*, a comprehensive chartbook on the nation's health, and *Mortality in the United States*. The *National Vital Statistics Reports* series provides timely analyses on topics like life expectancy and infant mortality. Public-use data files are made available through systems like the Research Data Center and online tools such as CDC WONDER. These resources are extensively used by researchers at institutions like the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Role in public health policy

The statistical data produced by the agency serves as a foundational evidence base for shaping public health policy in the United States. Its findings directly inform the development and evaluation of major health initiatives, such as those related to the Affordable Care Act and the Healthy People objectives. Data on opioid overdose mortality, COVID-19 pandemic deaths, and obesity trends are used by policymakers at the White House, the United States Congress, and state health departments. The information is also critical for the work of organizations like the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association.

Category:United States Department of Health and Human Services agencies Category:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category:Health in the United States Category:1960 establishments in the United States