Identify and discuss at least 2 specific sources of health care statistics. These sources can be examples of either primary or secondary data sources.

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Two specific sources of health care statistics are:

1. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS): NHIS is a primary data source conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in the United States. It is a yearly survey that collects information on a wide range of health-related topics from a large representative sample of the U.S. population. NHIS provides data on health conditions, health behaviors, access to healthcare, and various demographic factors. Researchers and policymakers use NHIS data to understand health trends, identify disparities, and inform health policies.

To access NHIS data, one can visit the NCHS website (www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis) and navigate to the NHIS section. The website provides access to public-use data files, which can be downloaded and analyzed using statistical software like SPSS or SAS. The NCHS also offers data tools and online tables that allow users to explore and visualize NHIS data.

2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) database: CMS is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that administers various healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. The CMS database, also known as the Medicare claims database, is a secondary data source that contains detailed information on claims filed by healthcare providers for services rendered to Medicare beneficiaries.

The CMS database is valuable for studying healthcare utilization, costs, and outcomes. Researchers can analyze the data to examine patterns of care, access to services, treatment effectiveness, and variations in healthcare practices. To access CMS data, researchers need to apply for permission through the CMS Data Request Center (https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Files-for-Order/Data-Request- Center). Approved researchers can then access de-identified Medicare claims data for their studies.

It's important to note that both NHIS and CMS datasets come with specific terms of use, restrictions, and protocols for protecting patient privacy. Researchers, analysts, and users should familiarize themselves with these guidelines and ensure appropriate handling of the data.