Resources for Older Americans

The National Center for Health Statistics provides statistics, data, and resources to monitor the health of older Americans, and to assess our health protection goals of increasing the number of older adults who live longer, high-quality, productive, and independent lives.

Key Aging Statistics

• FastStats - Older Persons Health
  Important indicators and links on the health of the elderly.

• Health Data Interactive
  Interactive data tables including information on older Americans.

• DATA2010
  The database for Healthy People 2010 provides selected health estimates for older Americans.

 

Data Sources With an Aging Focus

• Longitudinal Studies of Aging (LSOA)
  A multicohort study of persons aged 70 years and over measuring changes in health, functional status, living arrangements, and health services utilization.

• National Home and Hospice Care Survey (NHHCS)
  Data on agencies, patients, and care services with a separate survey of home health aides.

• National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS)
  Data on nursing homes, residents, and care services with a separate survey of nursing assistants.

 

Publications

• State of Aging and Health in America 2007 Report [PDF - 4.5 MB]
  • Interactive Report
• Older Americans Update 2010: Key Indicators of Well-Being

 

Other Data Sources

• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
• National Health Interview Survey
• National Hospital Discharge Survey
• Data Linkage Activities
• National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS)
• National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)
• Mortality component of the National Vital Statistics System

Please see the Data and Statistics page for more data sources, statistics, and resources