Inventory of Federal data systems in the United States for injury surveillance, research and prevention activities

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared this inventory of federal data systems that provide national data on injuries in the United States. We have identified 31 data systems that provide data useful for injury surveillance, research and prevention activities. This report provides a brief summary of each system, including how to access the data, data collection methods, data sources, and types of data obtained. Our aim is to provide public health professionals and injury researchers with an overview of available information from existing national data sources for (1) monitoring national trends in the magnitude and distribution of injury mortality and morbidity; (2) identifying risk factors for sustaining injury; (3) generating hypotheses for further epidemiologic research; and (4) evaluating the effectiveness of injury and violence prevention programs. We also identify information gaps and give future directions of NCIPC for improving injury data nationwide. We appreciate the assistance of other federal agencies in providing the descriptive and background information summarized in this report. It is our sincere desire to improve awareness of available data from these systems so they might be more widely used for research, program development and evaluation, policy decisions, and public education toward our efforts to prevent injuries--a serious public health problem.Annest JL, Conn JM, James SP. Inventory of Federal Data Systems in the United States for Injury Surveillance, Research and Prevention Activities. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, May 1996.Joseph L. Annest, Judith M. Conn, Stephen P. James.Includes bibliographic references (p.115-116)