Introducing the NCHS Data Query System

In today’s ever-changing public health landscape, access to comprehensive data is essential for informed decision-making. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has launched its newest tool: the Data Query System (DQS).

DQS brings together data from major NCHS and external sources into one easy-to-use online tool. From death rates and disabilities to nutrition, health insurance, and obesity, DQS allows users to explore data on over 120 public health topics. This tool features multiple ways to visualize trends in health data and the ability to download those data in table, chart, and map formats.

Users can customize their searches based on demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic categories to learn more about a health topic or a specific population group. Whether researching disparities based on race, age, sex, income, education, or geography, DQS offers the health information essential for understanding health equity gaps.

“With DQS, it’s easy to find the data you need and easy to spot the nuances of specific health topics, including how diseases affect groups differently. You can observe these differences over time as well. So, you can track when a problem emerges and if it persists and deepens. This awareness can lead to better, more targeted interventions,” said Brian Moyer, Ph.D., NCHS Director. “Using data to identify and address health issues is a driving force behind DQS.”

By using this tool, users can:

• Customize visualizations of the health information that matters to them,
• Increase health literacy and communication,
• Inform evidence-based public health policy and practice,
• Track trends over time and evaluate progress towards health equity, and
• Gain a broad perspective on the nation’s health, social determinants of health, and health outcomes.

The user-centered approach to DQS makes it an innovative and flexible tool for public health professionals, researchers, academics policymakers, and the public.

DQS draws from several data sources, including:

• National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey,
• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,
• National Health Interview Survey
• National Vital Statistics System
• American Dental Association
• American Hospital Association

New data sources and features will be added in future updates.

DQS is now available on the NCHS website at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/dataquery/index.htm.