Crunching the numbers : using evidence about the population's health helps to effect change

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Puissance de calcul : des données attestées sur la santé de la population contribuent à produire un changementThe lack of population-based data in many developing countries hinders the development of effective programs. In two districts of Tanzania, a Demographic Surveillance System is providing vital information enabling health planners to determine the overall effectiveness of the health system and monitor the status of the population. As a result, they can plan and budget health care services more strategically