Research Data Access Resources: Health & Health Care
This research guide identifies electronic datasets to support statistical research in the social sciences.
Overview
This section of the research guide identifies electronic datasets to support research on
Please see the Natural Sciences tab for additional resources covering biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology.
For a list of subject specialists covering these topics, please see the library's list of subject specialists.
Health and Healthcare
- AIDS Public Data SetThis data set contains counts of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases reported to CDC by state and local health departments from 1981+. Case counts can be retrieved by demographics, case-definition, date of diagnosis, date of report, HIV exposure group (risk factors), and mortality.
- Area Resource FileCountry based data file summarizing secondary data from a wide variety of sources that are useful to health analysts investigating the nation’s health care delivery system. Available in the SSDS on CD; does not circulate.
- California Consumers Experiences with Managed CareA survey of insured Californian's experiences with managed health care done for California's Managed Health Care Improvement Task Force.
- Demographic and Health SurveysNational and sub-national data on family planning, maternal and child health, child survival, HIV/AIDS/sexually transmitted infections (STIs), infectious diseases, reproductive health and nutrition. Surveys have been conducted in 32 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, 7 countries in North Africa/West Asia/Europe, 10 countries in South and Southeast Asia, and 13 countries in Latin America and the Caribean. Microdata are available free of charge by request.
- Global Health Observatory (GHO)GHO is the World Health Organization's gateway to health-related statistics from around the world. The GHO will provide access to an interactive repository of health statistics. Users will be able to download data sets in various formats, display data for selected indicators, health topics, countries and regions, and download the customized tables in Excel format.
- Guatemalan Survey of Family Health, 1995The Guatemalan Survey of Family Health was designed to examine the way in which rural Guatemalan families and individuals cope with childhood illness and pregnancy, and the role of ethnicity, poverty, social support, and health beliefs in this process. The EGSF sample includes all rural communities in four of Guatemala's 22 departments.
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)The HCUP is the largest collection of longitudinal hospital care data in the United States, with all-payer, discharge-level information beginning in 1988.
- ICPSR Health and Medical Care Archive (HMCA)The HMCA preserves and disseminates health care data collected by researchers. Subjects covered include Health Care Providers, Cost/Access to Health Care, Substance Abuse and Health, Chronic Health Conditions, and Other.
- Joint Canada-US Survey of HealthThe JCUSH was a research study conducted by Statistics Canada and the National Center for Health Statistics, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data collection began in November 2002 and ended in March 2003. The JCUSH was a one-time, random telephone survey in both countries.
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, or MEPS as it is commonly called, is the third (and most recent) in a series of national probability surveys conducted by AHRQ on the financing and utilization of medical care in the United States.
- Mexican Health and Aging StudyThe Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) is a prospective panel study of health and aging in Mexico, with national and urban/rural representation. The baseline survey was conducted in the Summer of 2001, and a follow-up is planned for the Spring-Summer of 2003.
- National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey series 1973-presentNAMCS contains data on medical care provided in physicians' offices. It is a continuously sampled survey based on a nationwide sample of patient records.
- National Center for Health Statistics | CDCNCHS collects, analyzes, and disseminates timely, relevant, and accurate health data and statistics. Our products and services inform the public and guide program and policy decisions to improve our nation’s health.
- National Survey of America's FamiliesA comprehensive look at the well-being of children and non-elderly adults, and reveals sometimes striking differences among the 13 states studied in depth.
- OECD Health DataExamines national health systems from 1960 forward for OECD member countries in a general, demographic, economic, and social context.
- Population Research Center at NORC and The University of ChicagoThis site makes available data from some of the Population Research Center's projects. Interesting datasets include the National Health and Social Life Survey, the Chicago Health and Social Life Survey, and the Chinese Health and Family Life Survey. These surveys profile sexual behavior, demography and health.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)Established in 1984 to track behavioral health risk in the United States. Behavior and risk categories include: exercise, being overweight, use of seatbelts, tobacco and alcohol, etc.
- ICPSR Health and Medical Care Archive (HMCA)Topics covered include: health care providers, cost of and access to health sare, substance abuse, chronic conditions, and other health related topics.
- Monitoring the Future: 1976+An ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults. Each year, a total of approximately 50,000 8th, 10th and 12th grade students are surveyed. A number of questions on drug use are asked.
- National Survey on Drug Use and HealthDrug and alcohol use incidence and prevalence estimates and report the consequences and patterns of use and abuse in the general U.S. civilian population aged 12 and older. Also asks a set of questions about mental health treatment. Also at ICPSR.
- SAMHDA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive at ICPSRThe goal of this archive is to provide access to substance abuse and mental health research data and to promote the use of the data in understanding and assessing substance abuse and mental health problems and the impact of related treatment systems.
Key Resources
Remember to check the key resources:
- ICPSRAccess to thousands of social science datasets for research and instruction. A first place to start in looking for social science data for secondary analysis.
- U.S. Census Bureau"Serve(s) as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy." Includes the Decennial Census, the American Community Survey the Economic Census, and more.
- U. S. Government data and statistical resourcesFeatures an alphabetical list of data resources from government agencies. Includes all topics from health, education, economic, crime, child and family, immigration, genealogy, labor and many more.