TABLE 6-3Sources of Health Data and Their Potential Limitations

SourcePotential Limitations
Census DataInfrequent collection; generally little health content
National Household SurveysTarget population, sample size, periodicity, comprehensiveness, survey design
Mortality Vital RecordsAge accuracy among elders, analytical access
Morbidity InformationAccuracy, access, geographic coverage, variation in format and vocabulary/coding
Health Administrative DataTimeliness, lack of analysis, format variation
Special Research StudiesRelevance, quality, presentation, national coverage, availability for analysis
Health Care EvaluationsAvailability, timeliness, accuracy
Outcomes ResearchVarying conceptual frameworks, availability, utility, legal implications
Longitudinal Cohorts/PanelsDesign, costs, timeliness, relevance
Qualitative StudiesDesign, coverage, relevance
Market ResearchTarget population, relevance, accuracy
Institutional SourcesNational coverage, costs, data access, identification of all relevant populations, type of data

SOURCE: Adapted from Andrews (1999).

From: 6, The Health of Aging Populations

Cover of Preparing for an Aging World
Preparing for an Aging World: The Case for Cross-National Research.
National Research Council (US) Panel on a Research Agenda and New Data for an Aging World.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001.
Copyright © 2001, National Academy of Sciences.

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