Information
Accountability, resource allocation, programme improvement and management decisions all rely on sound health information. Country health information systems are based on two categories of data sources: population-based and health facility-based. The main population-based sources of health information are census, household surveys and (sample) vital registration systems. The main health facility-related data sources are public health surveillance and health status data, health services data (also sometimes referred to as health management information systems or routine health information systems) and health system monitoring data (human resources, health infrastructure and financing, for example).
Different types of information are needed at different levels of a health system. For health facility-based information, a recognized principle is that information being collected should generally be of use at the level it is collected. Furthermore, information needs to be collected, standardized, analysed and disseminated in a such a way that it can be compared between populations in space and time. Therefore, standard classifications and methods are required.
Information Helpful resources
Health Information systems and statistics
Health Statistics 2005
Burden of Disease
Strengthening Health Statistics
Health Information Systems
Health Metrics
World Health Survey
Multi-country study on aging
Regional Office sites
- WHO Regional Office for Africa - Health Information Systems
- WHO Regional Office for Africa - Health Situation Analysis
- WHO Regional Office for Europe - Evidence for health policy
- WHO Regional Office for Europe - Health surveys
- WHO Regional Office for Europe - Statistics
- WHO Regional Office for Europe - Health status
- Pan American Health Organization - Health Services Information Systems
- Pan American Health Organization - Health of Indigenous Peoples
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia - Evidence & Health Information
- WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific - Health information