BIOSTATISTICS SPRING FORUM 2008

November 19, 2008

by Robert McKewon
USC, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

"Overview of National and State Data Resources for Biostatistical Teaching and Research"

In recent years data from state and national offices of health statistics have become more readily accessible via web sites and CDs, and personal computers have become powerful enough to analyze these data sets, which are often very large or complex. Data sources include vital records, census, and national and state health surveys, representing a range of data types and sampling designs which provide a rich and diverse resource for applied biostatistical research and teaching. In addition, the National Center for Health Statistics produces a number of publications that are useful supplements for teaching. This presentation will present an overview of the some of the major data types and how they can be accessed, and discuss the research and teaching potential of these resources in epidemiology and biostatistics, including topics such as complex sampling design, mixed distributions, life table analysis, trend analysis, multiple observations, and missing data.