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Why do local health units keep records and collect vital statistics?

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Polio vaccine — public health A health care worker giving a polio vaccine to a child in Katsina state, Nigeria, 2014.

Local health units collect vital statistics and maintain records to serve as essential tools for planning, administering, and evaluating health services. These records, which include birth and death certificates, act as secondary data sources that allow epidemiologists to calculate rates, conduct studies, and monitor population health trends.12

By tracking vital rates—such as birth, death, and infant mortality rates—authorities can assess the impact of health conditions and fertility trends on population composition. Furthermore, the collection of data on notifiable diseases is critical for disease surveillance. This information enables local officials to:34

Launch immediate control and prevention activities to stop the spread of infectious diseases.4
Develop quarantine measures and other interventions to protect the public.4
Identify and address noninfectious health concerns, such as environmental exposures or chronic conditions.4

Ultimately, these statistical services are vital for the effective organization of medical care schemes and the ongoing effort to improve public health outcomes.1