Vital Statistics Summary of a Workshop (2009) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix A: The U.S. Vital Statistics System: The Role of State and Local Health Departments
Appendix A: The U.S. Vital Statistics System: The Role of State and Local Health Departments
Pages 77-86
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From page 77... ...
This paper also explains the paper-based and automated systems currently in use and how they are evolving into web-based paperless systems that present opportunities for improved data quality and electronic verification and exchange of vital-event information. ∗ Steven Schwartz, Ph.D., registrar, Bureau of Vital Statistics, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and past president, National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS)
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From page 78... ...
Jurisdiction vital records and statistics offices have long had responsibility for these two essential governmental functions: the civil registration of vital events and the collection of public health data. It is now recognized that vital records offices have a third, equally important function: helping to en
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From page 79... ...
Data entry or retrieval errors would prevent vital records offices from discharging this core responsibility. For public health reporting and analysis, accurate demographic and medical data are equally important.
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From page 80... ...
Other needs are to enhance public health data collection, such as adding a question on the birth certificate for foreign-born parents: If you were born outside the United States, how long have you lived in the United States? Vital statistics data are tremendously valuable because the data represent the universe of events, not a sample.
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From page 81... ...
Fetal death and induced termination reporting, although equally mandatory, are underreported because families do not have the same need for certificates. Vital statistics systems are important surveillance systems and are becoming increasingly valuable as electronic birth and death registration systems help speed data acquisition and processing.
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From page 82... ...
However, the vital records system was not designed to protect national security, and it is currently inadequate for the task. For example, to protect against identity theft, it is important to match death with birth certificates and then mark the birth certificate "deceased." To be effective against fraud, this matching must be done quickly.
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From page 83... ...
The detailed rules governing the exchange and use of the data will be embedded in a specialized, configurable software application. Jurisdictions may also use STEVE to send data to other approved trading partners, such as NCHS, and to authorized public health agencies and programs such as immunization, newborn screening, and birth defects.
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From page 84... ...
It relies heavily on the work of each of the jurisdictions to meet its local vital registration and public health data needs. It also relies on the jurisdictions to meet national standards for data quality and timeliness as defined in the VSCP contracts.
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From page 85... ...
In addition to new technology, leadership at the local, state, and national level is acutely needed to build a stronger national system.
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