Nayana Fernando

Department of Community Medicine

Quantifiable characteristics of a population
which are used as evidence for describing
health of a population

A set of measurements that helps to
quantify health status of a population

Guide health care policy in a country
Can make comparisons
(over time, geographical areas, group of
people)
Powerful tools for monitoring and communicating
critical information about population health
Support planning, and track progress of broad
community objectives
Build awareness
Advocacy
Can make predictions



Well defined
Uniform
Statistical validity
Easily obtainable data
Can be used to make decisions
State and local level
Health Department, NGOs, Businesses, educational,
law enforcement. Human service providers,
universities, media.
National
Ministries (health, education, Department of census
and statistics)
International
World bank, WHO
Life expectancy
Total fertility
Age specific death rates
Migration rates
Population growth rates
Crude birth rate
Etc.
Incidence of diseases
Prevalence of diseases
Disability rates
Hospital admission rates
Crude death rates
Disease specific mortality rates
Hospital mortality rates
Registration of pregnant woman
Hospital deliveries
Cesarean section rates
Rate of Low birth weight
Malnutrition
Family planning rates and rates of different
methods
Immunization coverage
Rates of different psychiatric illnesses
Prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression
Rates of suicides
Prevalence of adverse environments for
mental health problems
Physical environment
Housing, overcrowding, air pollution, availability of
safe water
Social environment
Income, education, social support and
connectedness
Family
Parental education, parental support, care giver
burden


Smoking, alcohol
Physical activity
Risk taking behaviors


Availability of health care (primary, secondary,
tertiary)
Doctor population ratio
Quality of health care
Hospital bed strength
Patient satisfaction
Drug availability
Availability of specialists
Vital statistics (birth, death registration)
Surveys
Disease surveillance system
Medical information system (MIS)
Hospital data
Census