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Health indicators are quantifiable characteristics of a population which researchers use as supporting evidence for describing the health of a population. Typically, researchers will use a survey methodology to gather information about certain people, use statistics in an attempt to generalize the information collected to the entire population, then use the statistical analysis to make a statement about the health of the population. Health indicators are often used by governments to guide health care policy Example A common example of a health indicator is life expectancy. A government might have a system for collecting information on each citizen's age at the time of death. This data about age at death can be used to support statements about the national life expectancy, in which case life expectancy would be a "health indicator". Life expectancy may be one of many "health indicators" which collectively researchers would use to describe the health of the population of the country. Applications Health indicators are commonly used to guide public health policy.[1] Characteristics A health indicator which will be used internationally to describe global health should have the following characteristics: 1.It should defined in such a way that it can be measured uniformly internationally[2] 2.It must have statistical validity[2] 3.The indicator must be data which can feasibly be collected.[2] 4.The analysis of the data must result in a recommendation on which people can make changes to improve health[2] List of health indicators Health status Incidence counts of any of the following in a population may be health indicators:[3] Low birth weight Obesity Arthritis Diabetes Asthma High blood pressure Cancer incidence Chronic pain Depression hospital visits due to injury reports of waterborne diseases or foodborne illness Behaviors Smoking habits Alcohol consumption habits Physical exercise habits Breastfeeding |
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