External Resources

Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Data and Statistics:
HRSA is an Agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As the Nation’s Access Agency, HRSA focuses on uninsured, underserved, and special needs populations. HRSA data provides access points to current HRSA information, health resources, and demographic data for reporting on HRSA activities.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) :
AHRQ is an Agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans by developing successful partnerships and generating the knowledge and tools required for long-term improvement.

CHIPRA Children's Health Care Quality Measurement and Improvement Activities

Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS):
A tool used by more than 90 percent of America's health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care and service.

School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS):
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) SHPPS is a national survey periodically conducted to assess school health policies and practices at the state, district, school, and classroom levels. SHPPS was most recently conducted in 2006. SHPPS also was conducted in 2000 and 1994; the next SHPPS is planned for 2012.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS):
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) YRBSS monitors priority health-risk behaviors and the prevalence of obesity and asthma among youth and young adults. The YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state, territorial, tribal, and district surveys conducted by state, territorial, and local education and health agencies and tribal governments.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES):
NCES is part of the U.S. Department of Education. NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. The purpose of NCES’ website is to provide clear, complete information about NCES' mission and activities, and to serve the research, education and other interested communities.

Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI):
The Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) develops and maintains a number of quality measurement tools and strategies that assess the quality of care provided to children and young adults.

Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DRC):
The DRC website includes national and state-based data on over 100 indicators from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) and the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN). The DRC’s easy-to-use interactive search feature allows users to select, view, compare, and download national survey data results for every state and HRSA region. The DRC is a project of the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative.

National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ):
NICHQ has been effective in both raising awareness about the potential for dramatic improvement in children’s healthcare and helping change actual system performance by working to improve the quality of healthcare in the US and around the world.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI):
IHI focuses on motivating and building the will for change; identifying and testing new models of care in partnership with both patients and health care professionals; and ensuring the broadest possible adoption of best practices and effective innovations.