EPIB301_W4L2_Keralis

Sources of Data 1 for Use in Epidemiology

Roadmap

• Factors that affect data quality

• Data sources

  • Decennial census

  • Vital records

  • Public health surveillance

  • Health surveys

  • Registries

  • Other

  • Data linkage

This Lecture Applies to You

Data Quality

Factors that Affect Data Quality

• Data quality is influenced by:

  • Source(s) of the data

  • Completeness of coverage in the reference population

• Quality concerns affect data usage and analysis

• Important questions to consider:

  • What is the nature of the data?

    • Sources and content

  • How available are the data?

    • Permissions

    • Cost

  • How complete is population coverage?

    • Representativeness

    • Generalizability

Generalizability

• Also known as external validity

• Refers to how findings can be generalized to the broader population from which data are drawn.

  • Example: Can findings from the UMD student body apply to PG County?

Data Quality Example

• Components relevant to tuberculosis surveillance:

  • Case detection

  • Data security and confidentiality

  • Accuracy of data

  • Timeliness

  • Completeness

Sources of Epidemiologic Data

The Decennial Census

• Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates:

  • Enumeration every ten years for apportionment

• The census provides:

  • Official estimates of total population size

  • Population subdivisions by geographical area

  • Key datasets:

    • Decennial census

    • American Community Survey

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)

• Urban-rural classification scheme for counties:

  • Categories include:

    1. Large central metro

    2. Large fringe metro

    3. Medium metro

    4. Small metro

    5. Micropolitan

    6. Non-core

Vital Records

• Important vital events tracked include:

  • Deaths

  • Births

  • Marriages

  • Divorces

  • Fetal deaths

• The vital registration system routinely collects this information in the U.S.

National Vital Statistics System

• Data collected includes:

  • Births

  • Deaths

  • Fetal deaths (20+ weeks)

  • Linked Birth/Infant Death Program

  • Marriage/divorce counts

  • National Death Index data

U.S. Standard Certificate of Death

• Required information includes:

  • Decedent’s legal name, sex, social security number, age, and birthplace

  • Residence details and marital status at time of death

  • Parents’ names

  • Cause of death specifics

Cause of Death Data Accuracy

• Challenges include:

  • Causes may be unclear or misreported due to stigma

  • Varying levels of training among coroners

U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth

• Key fields include:

  • Child's name, date and time of birth

  • Birth facility information

  • Parents’ names and details

Birth Data Accuracy

• Influences include:

  • Mother's recall failures during pregnancy

  • Undetected conditions at birth (e.g., congenital anomalies)

Public Health Surveillance

• Definition: systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data

• Covers both communicable and non-infectious diseases, as well as risk factors for chronic diseases.

Reportable Disease Statistics

• Clinicians are legally obligated to report cases of reportable/notifiable diseases to health authorities within a specific timeframe.

Syndromic Surveillance

• Definition: monitoring disease indicators in real time to detect outbreaks earlier.

Data Sources for Syndromic Surveillance

• Clinical data sources include:

  • Emergency department volumes, triage logs, hospital admissions

  • Poison control center calls, insurance claims

• Alternative data sources:

  • School/work absenteeism, over-the-counter medication sales, internet illness reports

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

• This system monitors behaviors linked to chronic diseases and is federally funded and state-administered.

  • Data collected pertains to health risk behaviors and preventive health practices.

Population Surveys

• Cross-sectional studies examine the relationships between diseases/health characteristics and variables at a specific point in time.

Disease Registries

• Centralized databases collecting information about specific diseases (e.g., cancer, birth defects).

Example of Disease Registry: SEER

• Funded by the National Cancer Institute, SEER provides data on cancer incidence and survival.

Other Sources of Data

• Health insurance data (Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance)

• Laboratory and electronic health records (EHRs)

• Military and veteran health data

Data Source Examples

• Variables such as presence of HIV criminalization laws, population counts, and demographic indicators.

Employment Opportunities in Epidemiology

• Growth in data-related innovations leading to more job opportunities for epidemiologic researchers.

Questions?

• Project 1 details and due date

• Upcoming exam review session details.