Innovations in Federal Statistics
Innovations in Federal Statistics

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2017-04-21

Total Pages: 151

ISBN-13: 030945428X

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Federal government statistics provide critical information to the country and serve a key role in a democracy. For decades, sample surveys with instruments carefully designed for particular data needs have been one of the primary methods for collecting data for federal statistics. However, the costs of conducting such surveys have been increasing while response rates have been declining, and many surveys are not able to fulfill growing demands for more timely information and for more detailed information at state and local levels. Innovations in Federal Statistics examines the opportunities and risks of using government administrative and private sector data sources to foster a paradigm shift in federal statistical programs that would combine diverse data sources in a secure manner to enhance federal statistics. This first publication of a two-part series discusses the challenges faced by the federal statistical system and the foundational elements needed for a new paradigm.

A Nationwide Framework for Surveillance of Cardiovascular and Chronic Lung Diseases
A Nationwide Framework for Surveillance of Cardiovascular and Chronic Lung Diseases

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2011-08-26

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 0309212197

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Chronic diseases are common and costly, yet they are also among the most preventable health problems. Comprehensive and accurate disease surveillance systems are needed to implement successful efforts which will reduce the burden of chronic diseases on the U.S. population. A number of sources of surveillance data-including population surveys, cohort studies, disease registries, administrative health data, and vital statistics-contribute critical information about chronic disease. But no central surveillance system provides the information needed to analyze how chronic disease impacts the U.S. population, to identify public health priorities, or to track the progress of preventive efforts. A Nationwide Framework for Surveillance of Cardiovascular and Chronic Lung Diseases outlines a conceptual framework for building a national chronic disease surveillance system focused primarily on cardiovascular and chronic lung diseases. This system should be capable of providing data on disparities in incidence and prevalence of the diseases by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic region, along with data on disease risk factors, clinical care delivery, and functional health outcomes. This coordinated surveillance system is needed to integrate and expand existing information across the multiple levels of decision making in order to generate actionable, timely knowledge for a range of stakeholders at the local, state or regional, and national levels. The recommendations presented in A Nationwide Framework for Surveillance of Cardiovascular and Chronic Lung Diseases focus on data collection, resource allocation, monitoring activities, and implementation. The report also recommends that systems evolve along with new knowledge about emerging risk factors, advancing technologies, and new understanding of the basis for disease. This report will inform decision-making among federal health agencies, especially the Department of Health and Human Services; public health and clinical practitioners; non-governmental organizations; and policy makers, among others.

Leveraging the Power of State Longitudinal Data Systems
Leveraging the Power of State Longitudinal Data Systems

Author: Data Quality Campaign

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 8

ISBN-13:

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Faced with the need to create a competitive workforce and improve the quality of our education system, states are pursuing policy agendas to better prepare students for postsecondary education and careers. To inform these agendas, statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) have become an invaluable asset and serve as a tool to help states answer pressing policy questions and improve practice. In the long term, these robust data systems can enable state education agencies to create tools such as early warning systems and data dashboards, which equip educators with information to address issues including dropouts, teacher quality and college readiness. All stakeholders will benefit in a variety of ways. However, fully harnessing the power of these robust SLDSs to answer key policy questions and provide information critical to various stakeholders depends upon state education agencies' being able to: (1) Collect the data in a way that provides valid answers to a state's critical policy questions, even as these questions change over time; (2) Define accurate measures of progress; (3) Conduct appropriate analyses of the data; (4) Present and disseminate findings to stakeholders; and (5) Use the information to drive policy and practice decisions. While IT staff and resources will always be required to maintain and update the SLDSs, the power of these systems will not be evident until education analysts and researchers also engage in the full scope of system design, maintenance and use over time. [This paper was written with Ellen B. Mandinach and Nancy J. Smith.].