Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection

How does NCHS obtain data? -- What data are produced? -- How does NCHS assure data quality? -- How are data disseminated? -- Who uses these data?

What are the leading causes of death in the U.S.? How many Americans smoke? How many Americans are obese? Are emergency departments more crowded than they used to be?

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) collects data needed to answer these and many other key questions about health and health care in the United States. NCHS is part of the federal statistical system which includes agencies that are responsible for compiling, analyzing, and disseminating data for statistical purposes.