SEARCHSYSTEMATIC_REVIEWresearch methods, epidemiology

systematic_review·research methods, epidemiology, public health, systematic review·PMC10176148

Health-Related Data Sources Accessible to Health Researchers From the US Government: Mapping Review

Journal of Medical Internet Research · 4 authors, 4 centres

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TL;DR

A systematic mapping review identified 57 federally sponsored health-related data sources accessible to US researchers from an initial pool of 106, characterizing their types, populations, and data collection methods.

Full summary

605 CHARS

From 106 unique sources screened, 57 met inclusion criteria. Sources were classified as survey or assessment data (53%), trends data (47%), summative processed data (47%), primary registry data (30%), and evaluative data (19%). Populations of interest included individuals/patients (70%), providers (26%), and health care sites/systems (25%). The review did not include nonfederal, private, or state-based sources. The findings suggest secondary analyses of national data are a feasible, cost-efficient means to address national health concerns, though improved data consistency and cataloging are needed.

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systematic_review

SPECIALTY

research methods

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AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10176148

Health-Related Data Sources Accessible to Health Researchers From the US Government: Mapping Review

Journal of Medical Internet Research

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Big data from large, government-sponsored surveys and data sets offers researchers opportunities to conduct population-based studies of important health issues in the United States, as well as develop preliminary data to support proposed future work. Yet, navigating these national data sources is challenging. Despite the widespread availability of national data, there is little guidance for researchers on how to access and evaluate the use of these resources. Objective Our aim was to identify and summarize a comprehensive list of federally sponsored, health- and health care–related data sources that are accessible in the public domain in order to facilitate their use by researchers. Methods We conducted a systematic mapping review of government sources of health-related data on US populations and with active or recent (previous 10 years) data collection. The key measures were government sponsor, overview and purpose of data, population of interest, sampling design, sample size, data collection methodology, type and description of data, and cost to obtain data. Convergent synthesis was used to aggregate findings. Results Among 106 unique data sources, 57 met the inclusion criteria. Data sources were classified as survey or assessment data (n=30, 53%), trends data (n=27, 47%), summative processed data (n=27, 47%), primary registry data (n=17, 30%), and evaluative data (n=11, 19%). Most (n=39, 68%) served more than 1 purpose. The population of interest included individuals/patients (n=40, 70%), providers (n=15, 26%), and health care sites and systems (n=14, 25%). The sources collected data on demographic (n=44, 77%) and clinical information (n=35, 61%), health behaviors (n=24, 42%), provider or practice characteristics (n=22, 39%), health care costs (n=17, 30%), and laboratory tests (n=8, 14%). Most (n=43, 75%) offered free data sets. Conclusions A broad scope of national health data is accessible to researchers. These data provide insights into important health issues and the nation’s health care system while eliminating the burden of primary data collection. Data standardization and uniformity were uncommon across government entities, highlighting a need to improve data consistency. Secondary analyses of national data are a feasible, cost-efficient means to address national health concerns. Keywords: data sets as topic, federal government, data collection, survey, questionnaire, health surveys, big data, government, data set, public domain, data source, systematic review, mapping review, review method, open data, health research

CITATION EXPORT

Ann Annis, Crista Reaves, Jessica Sender et al.. Health-Related Data Sources Accessible to Health Researchers From the US Government: Mapping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. (2023). https://doi.org/10.2196/43802

AUTHORS

4 · 4 CENTRES

Ann Annis, Crista Reaves, Jessica Sender, Sherry Bumpus

1College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
2Institute for Health Policy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
3University Libraries, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
4School of Nursing, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, United States