What Methods are Used for Monitoring Health Trends?
Several methods are employed in monitoring health trends:
1. Surveillance Systems: These are ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data. Examples include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance systems and the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
2. Epidemiological Surveys: These are studies designed to collect data on health status and behaviors from a specific population at a particular point in time or over a period.
3. Registries: These are databases that track individuals with specific conditions, such as cancer registries or birth defect registries.
4. Administrative Data: These include health records, insurance claims, and other data collected through routine healthcare operations.
