Data are collected continuously. NCHS publishes preliminary and final data reports annually. A variety of special reports is available on specific topics, including most recently, teenage birth patterns, pregnancy rates, attendant at birth, method of delivery, obstetric interventions, twin and triplet births, smoking during pregnancy, and Hispanic-origin births. Demographic characteristics available in the natality file include age, race, Hispanic origin, education, birthplace, marital status, residence, live-birth order, sex, and month and day of birth. National, state and local mortality data from NCHS are available from vital records filed in each of the states for deaths of all ages, including infants.
Similar data is available for fetal deaths, and the linked file combines birth and death data.
Beginning with data for 1999 deaths, the latest classification of deaths and a new standard population will be implemented. These changes have implications for comparisons with data for previous years. In 1998, data were collected on approximately 23,000 visits from 2,500 physicians. The survey provides information on the characteristics of the patient, the physician practice, and the visit. In 1998, data were collected on approximately 24,000 ED visits and 29,000 OPD visits.