VITAL-STATISTICS IN THE UNITED-STATES - PREPARING FOR THE NEXT CENTURY

This paper outlines the development of U.S. national vital statistics based on the local registration of vital events in the United States d uring the twentieth century, including the organization of the Nationa l Vital Statistics System. Current data developments and selected publ ications of the National Center for Health Statistics are presented as they relate to vital statistics. The paper concludes with an overview of ongoing efforts at the local, state, and federal levels to improve the timeliness and quality of vital statistics through the redesign a nd automation of data collection, processing, and dissemination system s.