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Vital Statistics Data Research Request Process

Access to and use of national vital records-based data sets from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) require the approval of NAPHSIS, the national association that represents the vital records jurisdictions that collect these data.  This page contains the NAPHSIS review process, criteria, and evaluation outcomes for requests to use NCHS vital statistics data. 

The review process begins when the applicant completes the NAPHSIS Project Review Form and emails the form and supporting materials to NAPHSIS.  NAPHSIS forwards the application packet to a review team consisting of NAPHSIS members who evaluate the research request using the criteria listed below.  Under ordinary circumstances, the team review is expected to take ten to fifteen business days.  If further information is needed, an e-mail is sent to the applicant.  Approved applications are forwarded to NCHS and those applicants will need to then sign the NCHS Data Use Agreement.  The entire process is expected to take two to four weeks. However, extraordinary events may prevent this timeframe from being met, and the applicant will be contacted in these cases.

Review Criteria

1. Confidentiality and data security:  Researcher needs to agree to neither identify nor try to identify any individual contained in the data; not to publish information that could potentially identify any individual; use data only for approved projects; adhere to NCHS data release standards; securely store data to maintain their confidentiality; and appropriately dispose of data to ensure confidentiality when project is completed.

2. Feasibility:  Data requested can be used to reasonably address the research goals described in the application and are not already publicly-available through NCHS’s VitalStats Website.  Researcher has demonstrated ability to perform data analysis pursuant to the research goals described in project proposal.

3. Scientific merit:  Proposed project constitutes legitimate research that may lead to improvement of health.  Legitimate research for the purposes of this section shall mean a systematic statistical study, conforming to or in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards or principles, designed to develop or contribute to scientific knowledge, and that does not identify any person in the study.

Review Outcomes 

1. Approved projects will be forwarded to NCHS for their review.  NCHS will obtain signed Data Use Agreements and provide the appropriate data.

2. Denied projects will be forwarded to NCHS for their consideration as projects appropriate for analysis through their Research Data Center.  Applicants will also be directed to specific jurisdictions to obtain data directly, if applicable.  Applicants will be informed of the specific reason(s) for denial of request.